The F1 World Championship battle will go to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris had the chance to win the title this weekend in Qatar but endured something of a nightmare weekend to his recent fortunes after he was only able to finish third in Saturday’s sprint race before coming home fourth in the Grand Prix.
Norris was gifted a fourth-place finish and a crucial two extra points after Kimi Antonelli ran wide and Norris passed the Mercedes on the final lap.
Max Verstappen won the race to make it a three-way battle in the final race. Oscar Piastri finished second with Williams’ Carlos Sainz earning his second podium of the season at the Lusail International Circuit.
Heading to Abu Dhabi, Norris still leads the championship by 16 points ahead of McLaren team-mate Piastri and Red Bull four-time world champion Verstappen by 25.
The McLaren duo qualified in good position, with the two Papaya drivers occupying the front row, but that was the only time during the race they held that position on merit.
Verstappen nailed his race start and overtook Norris in turn one before a McLaren blunder, opting not to pit both drivers during the lap seven safety car after Nico Hulkenberg’s crash with Pierre Gasly ended his race, leaving both drivers having to battle their way through the field.
Piastri had the pace and the temperament to pull away from his team-mate and pursue Verstappen for the race win, but the task was too much against the Dutchman.
Meanwhile, Norris left himself the arduous task of having to pass Antonelli and Sainz to claim a P3 result that would mean he only needed to finish in the top three in Abu Dhabi to win the championship.
On the final lap of the race, Norris passed Antonelli with ease after the Mercedes rookie appeared to make an error. The message was relayed to a furious Piastri and to Verstappen by a flabergast Gianpiero Lambiase.
Qatar Grand Prix result
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren +7.995
3 Carlos Sainz Williams +22.665
4 Lando Norris McLaren +23.315
5 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +28.317
6 George Russell Mercedes +48.599
7 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +54.045
8 Charles Leclerc Ferrari+56.785
9 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls +60.073
10 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull Racing +61.770
11 Alexander Albon Williams +66.931
12 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +77.730
13 Gabriel Bortoleto Kick Sauber +84.812
14 Franco Colapinto Alpine +1L
15 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team +1L
16 Pierre Gasly Alpine +1L
DNF Lance Stroll Aston Martin
DNF Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls
DNF Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team
DNF Nico Hulkenberg Kick Sauber