A McLaren tactical error has cost Lando Norris the chance to secure the Formula One championship with a race to spare

Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri held the early lead at today's race in Qatar, but lost their grip on the race when they were the only two cars not to take a pit stop during an early safety car.

Max Verstappen won the race, with Piastri and Norris finishing second and fourth.

Piastri acknowledges the blunder.



Carlos Sainz was third.

Series leader Norris would have won the championship with a victory - with his lead over Verstappen now just 12 points ahead of next week's season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Liam Lawson collected his seventh tally of points from the season with ninth, finishing a place ahead of Red Bull rival Yuki Tsunoda.

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