Lewis Hamilton cruised to victory in the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix to cut his world championship deficit to just eight points and set up a blockbuster end to the season. Precautionary move from Red Bull – they have a big gap to Alonso in third, so Max comes in. And Hamilton is into the pits and then out, still ahead of Verstappen of course, now with an eight second gap and a fastest lap to boot. Here comes Max… Hamilton still first, with a fastest lap now, Verstappen still second. Perez moves up to fourth… Lewis is six seconds clear of Max in second, and 20 seconds – over a pit stop – ahead of Alonso in third. Hamilton two seconds clear already – with Alonso second, Gasly third, and Max fourth.

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