Hamilton cuts Verstappen’s F1 lead to 8 points

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates with his 1st-place trophy on the podium following the Qatari Formula One Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit, on the outskirts of the capital city of Doha on Sunday – AFP 

DOHA (Reuters): Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a straightforward Sunday drive to win the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix for Mercedes and trim Max Verstappen’s Formula One lead to eight points with two races remaining.

Red Bull’s Verstappen was second, after starting seventh following a five-place grid drop for failing to respect warning flags in Saturday’s qualifying but took a bonus point for fastest lap.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso was third for Renault-owned Alpine, the 40-year-old Spaniard’s first podium finish since he was second in the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix with Ferrari.

“It was pretty straightforward, it was pretty lonely at the front,” said Hamilton, who led from pole position and was never challenged over the 57 laps of the floodlit night race that finished under virtual safety car conditions.

“Of course, I enjoy those races where you’re battling through, but we needed those points today, so I think a real solid job from the team... Bring on the next two.” The win was Hamilton’s seventh from 20 races this season, second in a row, and the record-extending 102nd of his career also continued his strong pedigree at new circuits on the calendar.

The Briton took the chequered flag, waved by Qatar’s Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Barshim, a hefty 25.743 seconds ahead of Verstappen.

Verstappen, who has nine wins this year, carried out another solid piece of damage limitation as Red Bull cut Mercedes lead in the constructors’ standings from 11 to five points.

The Dutch 24-year-old can still win the championship with a race to spare at the next race in Saudi Arabia if Hamilton fails to score.