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Verstappen benefited from a tactical decision from McLaren that flew in the face of decisions made by all other squads during an initial safety car period

This proved to be a expensive choice that sacrificed track position to Verstappen in the final stages and in hindsight threw away the victory for the Australian driver

Grand Prix Results and Title Consequences

Verstappen won to take his seventh win of the season, equalling Norris and Piastri, while the Piastri was runner-up and the Briton fourth behind the Williams of Carlos Sainz

Norris earned an additional points by passing the Mercedes driver's Silver Arrow on the penultimate lap

The championship leader has been left with a twelve point lead over his rival, who overtook Piastri by four points heading to Abu Dhabi on December 5-7

To secure the championship, the British driver must secure a podium position at Yas Marina if Verstappen takes victory next Sunday

Critical Moments of the Dramatic Grand Prix

• McLaren's decision not to stop when a yellow flag was deployed on the seventh lap for a collision between Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Sauber's Hulkenberg
• A decision led by the Australian to bring forward his last pit stop in a last-ditch effort to catch the leader came to nothing
• A unexpected second podium for the Williams driver handed by the team's tactical decision

How McLaren Lost Out in Qatar

The critical point for the team was when Gasly and Hulkenberg collided as the Hulkenberg tried to overtake the Frenchman around the outside of Turn One on the seventh lap

Hulkenberg's car was left damaged beside the circuit This triggered the yellow flag

The crucial part of the timing was that it meant there were 50 laps left in the race

With the tire manufacturer imposing a 25-lap safety limit on the tyres, that signified anyone who pitted at that moment was locked into a rigid strategy with a second stop on the thirty-second lap

Competitor Reactions and Post-Race Statements

No words

The McLaren driver added in his post-race conversation: Clearly we didn't get it right tonight I drove the strongest performance I could, as fast as I possible, but there was no more pace out there Tried my utmost but didn't get it done

Verstappen stated: This was an incredible race for us Our team executed the correct decision to box It was intelligent Furthermore super-happy to win here and remain competitive to the head, remarkable

Ultimate Race Standings

• 1. Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren Racing)
• 3. Sainz (Williams Racing)
• 4. Lando Norris (McLaren Racing)
• 5. Antonelli (Mercedes-AMG)
• 6. Russell (Mercedes)
• 7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin F1)
• 8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 9. Lawson (Racing Bulls)
• 10. Tsunoda (Red Bull)

What's Next?

The crucial title decider at the Yas Marina Circuit This venue does not create the most thrilling competition, but yet again this evening event features an event which promises to be every bit as thrilling as Sebastian Vettel's first title in 2010, or Verstappen's much-debated first title in 2021