The battle for the Formula One Championship is going down the wire as Lewis Hamilton battled the odds to win the Qatar Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton’s win in Doha means that he trails leader Max Verstappen by only eight points with just two races to go. It was Hamilton’s seventh checkered flag of the season. On the other end of the table, it was day to remember for one certain Fernando Alonso, who finished on the podium for the 98th time in his career.
The two-time former champion Alonso finished on the podium after a record 7-year absence. Last time Alonso finished on a podium in Formula One, Hamilton had only one construction championship, Real Madrid had nine Champions League (CL) titles and Novak Djokovic’s solitary Wimbledon win was in 2011. After seven long years though, the Spaniard is back on the podium of Formula One. The last time when the Spaniard finished on a podium, it was at the Hungary Grand Prix in 2014 – finishing second.
When it comes to the title race, 36-year-old Hamilton started in the pole position while Verstappen recorded the fastest lap of the race. Both the drivers were on the hook right from the start and determined to go one better. The two drivers in red hot form were throttling on full cylinders and it was the Englishman who took early lead. Hamilton made use of the hard tyres to reduce the impact of drag.
The win in Doha was Hamilton's 102nd career win, as an individual he's won more races than every nation on earth except Germany (179) and Great Britain (306). With just two races to go now, it remains to be seen who can hold the nerves in the coming days. Back to back wins for the seven-time world champion now means he has momentum on his side going into final couple of races. Dutchman Verstappen has now gone two races without a win.
Next up is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in first week of December followed by the year ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With win in Qatar, it is Mercedes who lead the construction championship ahead of Red Bull.
