Just eight points separate Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the race for the Formula 1world Championship with two rounds to go.

Ahead of the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton trailed his Dutch rival by 14 points. Red Bull driver Verstappen, following penalties, started in seventh place on the grid with Hamilton in pole. He led from the off and cut the gap in the title race eight point as Verstappen gained a bonus point for setting the fastest lap in the race.

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix is next (December 5) and Verstappen's eight-point lead means that if result goes his way at the next race, the championship would not go down to the final race in Abu Dhabi (December 12). A win for Hamilton in the Mercedes on the penultimate race means that the title race goes down to the wire and will be decided in the last race of the season.