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Verstappen benefited from a tactical decision from the British team that flew in the face of decisions made by all other squads during an early race safety car period

This proved to be a costly decision that gave up track position to Verstappen in the final stages and retrospectively threw away the victory for the Australian driver

Race Outcome and Championship Implications

The race winner triumphed to take his seventh win of the campaign, equalling Norris and Piastri, while the Piastri was second and the Briton in fourth behind the Williams of Carlos Sainz

The McLaren driver won himself an extra two points by overtaking the Mercedes driver's Mercedes on the penultimate lap

Norris has been maintained a twelve point advantage over Verstappen, who moved ahead of Piastri by four points heading to Abu Dhabi on December 5-7

To win the title, Norris must finish at least third at Abu Dhabi if his rival wins the race next race day

Critical Events of the Thrilling Race

• McLaren's decision not to pit when a safety car was called on lap seven for a collision between the French team's Gasly and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg
• A strategy initiated by Piastri to advance his final stop in a last-ditch effort to challenge the leader came to nothing
• A unexpected second podium for Sainz handed by the team's strategy call

The Way McLaren Missed Out in The Race

The fateful moment for the team was when the two drivers came together as the German tried to overtake the Frenchman around the outside of Turn One on the seventh lap

The German's car was damaged beside the circuit That brought out the yellow flag

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

With the tire manufacturer enforcing a 25-lap safety limit on the tyres, that meant anyone who pitted at that time was committed to a fixed plan with a second stop on lap 32

Competitor Reactions and After the Event Comments

Speechless

Piastri added in his after-race conversation: Obviously we made mistakes tonight I drove the strongest performance I was capable of, as quick as I could, but there was nothing left out there Attempted my utmost but couldn't secure victory

The race winner said: This was an incredible race for us We made the right call to box That proved smart Furthermore extremely pleased to win here and stay in the fight to the end, incredible

Ultimate Grand Prix Positions

• 1. Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2. Piastri (McLaren)
• 3. Carlos Sainz (Williams Racing)
• 4. Lando Norris (McLaren Racing)
• 5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
• 6. Russell (Mercedes-AMG)
• 7. Alonso (Aston Martin)
• 8. Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari)
• 9. Lawson (RB F1 Team)
• 10. Yuki 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 twilight race features an event which appears set to become every bit as dramatic as Sebastian Vettel's first title in 2010, or the Dutch driver's much-debated initial championship in 2021