22 November,2021 06:44 AM IST | Doha | AFP
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his win at Losail International Circuit in Doha yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
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 Briton, 36, rather than the 12-year-younger pretender who has the momentum.
ALSO READ
Formula 1 in 2025: Close racing, Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari and plenty of new faces
''Journey into the history books'': Lewis Hamilton leaves Mercedes after six titles and 246 F1 races
Lewis Hamilton qualifies 18th for his last race with Mercedes in F1
Verstappen-Russell feud overshadows Lewis’ last Mercedes race
Hamilton reflects on final year at Mercedes, says 'Underestimated the challenge'
"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.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
