Doha: Lewis Hamilton won Sunday’s inaugural Qatar Grand Prix with a commanding performance from pole to cut Max Verstappen’s world championship lead to eight points.
The Mercedes seven-time champion comfortably held off his arch Dutch rival’s Red Bull under the Losail circuit’s lights to leave the battle for the F1 drivers’ crown delicately poised with only two races remaining. Fernando Alonso took third for Alpine, the former two-time world champion’s first podium since 2014.
One week on from arguably his toughest and greatest win in Brazil, Hamilton enjoyed one of his easiest.
And after an unprecedented eighth world title appeared to be slipping from his grasp after Verstappen’s wins in the USA and Mexico, it is the 36-year-old Briton rather than the 12-year-younger pretender who has the momentum.
“We needed those points today. I can’t wait to watch the race replay to find out what happened behind me,” he said after his 102nd career win.
“I’m really grateful for these points, it’s been a hell of a year. Back-to-back wins here, feel good, I feel fit, fitter than I’ve ever felt. Bring on the next two!”
Verstappen, who was demoted from second to seventh on the grid for a yellow flag infringement in qualifying on Saturday, took second, and picked up a point for the fastest lap.
“Our starting position was compromised, but luckily we had a really good start,” he said.
“Of course, I know it’s going to be difficult to the end but it keeps it nice, keeps it exciting. This track was fun to drive as well. I feel good, but it’s going to be a tight battle to the end.”
Hamilton’s faster engine, fitted last weekend in Sao Paulo, will give Red Bull a likely tough time again at the ultra quick new circuit in Saudi Arabia in a fortnight’s time ahead of the season-closing race in Abu Dhabi in mid-December.
Verstappen had qualified second but the stewards ordered him to drop back on the grid following Sunday hearings for Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz.
All three were accused of not following yellow flag rules near the end of qualifying. Bottas, who had qualified third, was penalized three starting sports. Sainz was not penalized.
Red Bull was mystified by the grid penalty for Verstappen, who lost any chance to challenge Hamilton for the win when he was penalized. Red Bull principal Christian Horner criticized the penalty when it was handed down.
``We’re really struggling to understand it,’’ Horner said. ``That’s a crucial blow in this world championship for us.”
Despite the penalty, Verstappen needed only five laps to recover and drive back to where he was originally slated to start.
``Our starting position was a bit compromised,’’ Verstappen said. ``I know it’s going to be difficult to the end but I think that’s nice. It keeps it exciting.’’
But he said he was ready for the challenges ahead in Saudi Arabia and the finale in Abu Dhabi.
‘‘I feel good,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s going to be tight.’’
