Lewis Hamilton moved closer to Max Verstappen at the top of the Formula 1 World Championship with a convincing victory in the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who also won last week in Brazil, reduced Verstappen’s lead in the title race by 11 points in the space of seven days.
Verstappen still holds an eight-point lead with two races to go in one of F1’s most exciting title battles in at least a decade.
“The last two weeks have been fantastic, just amazing,” said Hamilton. Now is not the time to celebrate. But it’s amazing to be able to get so many points in these last two races. “
The seven-time world champion started from the top position behind the wheel of his Mercedes and was never challenged on the Losail International Circuit as the Briton won his 102nd career race. It is also his seventh victory of the season.
Verstappen was second behind the wheel of his Red Bull, 25 seconds behind Hamilton.
“I was all alone up front,” said Hamilton, who appreciates the challenge of his rivalry with Verstappen. I like this. I love close battles, pressure and whatever it takes from me and the whole team. “
Verstappen was penalized even before the start of the race when he lost five places on the starting grid for failing to respect a yellow flag in qualifying on Saturday. The Dutchman qualified second, but the stewards sanctioned him after meeting Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz on Sunday.
All three were called up for not following the yellow flag rules towards the end of qualifying. Bottas, qualified third, was penalized three rows on the grid. Sainz was not penalized.
Red Bull were upset by this penalty to Verstappen, who thus lost any chance to challenge Hamilton for the win. The director of Red Bull, Christian Horner, lambasted the attitude of a “dishonest commissioner”.
Horner was called to a post-race meeting with the stewards over his comments which could have “caused moral damage” to the FIA. He received a warning after the meeting and the FIA said Horner “explained that his reaction was made under the pressure of the competition”.
” Sir. Horner offered to apologize to the concerned commissioner and explain to the media that he did not want to offend him, the FIA said in a statement. He also offered to participate in the 2022 FIA International Stewards program in early February. “
Despite this penalty, Verstappen only needed five laps to climb back to second place in the race.
“Our starting position compromised things a bit,” said Verstappen. I know it’s going to be tough until the end, but I think it’s good. It remains exciting. “
He maintained that he was ready for the challenges ahead in Saudi Arabia and in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
” I feel good. It’s going to be tight. “
Hamilton, winner of four consecutive titles, now has the momentum. The British driver is aiming for a record-breaking eighth F1 title, which would put him ahead of Michael Schumacher.
“I feel really good, I’m really, really happy with the car,” said Hamilton. I feel fitter than ever, so that’s positive. “
Fernando Alonso of the Alpine team finished third to earn his first podium since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2014.
Sergio Perez finished fourth to help Red Bull in their attempt to get ahead of Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.
Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) finished sixth, his best result this season.
“The car was behaving very well today,” said Stroll. I gained a few places in the first lap and in the first stint it was clear that we had the pace to do well. “
” I exceeded [Yuki] Tsunoda on the mids, then after catching up with the guys in front I passed [Carlos] Sainz to pass sixth after stopping to put on the hard tires. Overall everything went perfectly today and scoring eight points is a very satisfying reward for our hard work. “