Lewis Hamilton wins inaugural Qatar GP ahead of Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wins inaugural Qatar GP ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in P2 and Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in P3.

“It was a pretty straightforward race in the end and it was a great job by the team because we really needed the points today. To get back-to-back wins is a great feeling and sets us up well for the final two races.”– said Lewis after clinching his 102 career win.

Max Verstappen showed impressive pace to come home in P2 after starting from P7 on the grid. The Dutchman was handed five place grid drop earlier by race stewards for ignoring double waved yellow flags during Saturday’s qualifying.

It’s more of a damage limitation for Red bull and Max. He is happy with the final results, as he awarded with an extra point for fastest lap in the race.

“Our starting position was compromised, but luckily we had a really good start. 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 “- said Max during his post-race interview with Jenson Button.

Fernando Alonso is super happy to clinch his first ever podium since the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spaniard is the big beneficiary of Grid penalties handed to Max and Bottas. He also won Driver of the Day award after a solid drive on a one stop strategy.

“Unbelievable, seven years! Finally we got it, honestly I thought to be leading after Lap 1, on the red tyre I wanted to have a go at Lewis. We tried one stop from the beginning but we didn’t know the [tyre] wear at a new venue for everybody. The car was superb and [the team] deserve it. I’ve waited so long for this, so I’m very happy.“- said Fernando Alonso in his post-race interview.

Perez’s fourth place was a decent recovery considering he’d started P11, while he finished ahead of the Alpine of Esteban Ocon in P5, with Lance Stroll taking impressive P6 for Aston Martin.

The Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished the race in P7 and P8. While Lando Norris took P9 after a late stop for the McLaren driver, as Sebastian Vettel took the final points position for P10.

Pierre Gasly and AlphaTauri failed to make a two-stop strategy work, dropping from P2 on the grid to P11, allowing Alpine to move clear in P5 in the constructor standings.

Meanwhile, it was a day to forget for Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, who took his own grid drop, dropping from P3 to P6, before falling to 11th at the start and then suffering mid-race tyre issues – as did Williams’ George Russell and Nicholas Latifi – before Mercedes retired him.

Ricciardo had a once of bad race weekends as the McLaren man struggled for pace all weekend long, he comes home in P12 ahead of Yuki Tsunoda in P13. Alfa Romeo duo Kimi Raikkonen and Giovinazzi clinches P14 & P15 respectively.

Haas driver Mick Schumacher comes home in P16 ahead of Williams’ George Russell in P17 and team mate Mazepin in P18. The Brit suffered a late puncture like his teammate Latifi, who retired from the race.

Eight points separates the drivers’ championship. Just five in the constructors’. If Hamilton wins in Saudi and gets the bonus point for fastest lap, and Verstappen comes home second – not an unthinkable combination – then those two will be tied on points heading to Abu Dhabi.