It seemed to be the general consensus that Verstappen would win this race but Norris would win the championship. No one really thought Piastri was in contention. As they left the grid for the formation lap, it was seen that drivers were on a variety of strategies with Piastri on hard tyres and Verstappen and Norris on medium. Some drivers further back had gone for soft too.
Verstappen made a quick start and it almost looked as though Piastri was going to try and get past Norris but he moved across and blocked him off. Alonso and LeClerc battled behind them furiously. Piastri held his place for a short while and then he got a slip stream behind Norris and was easily past him. Russell dropped back.
After four laps, Russell got past Alonso and then Norris had LeClerc right on his tail. On lap 17, Norris and LeClerc pitted on the same lap. They were both ahead of Russell though. Norris was stuck in a DRS train; he got past Antonelli then Sainz (who pitted afterwards), next up was Stroll and I held my breath. He got past Stroll and Lawson in the same corner, giving everyone a good reason why he should be world champion. LeClerc repeated the feat though behind him. Tsunoda was the next driver up and Red Bull were quick to instruct him to hold Norris up, he tersely told them to leave him alone. Brundle was not happy with this all, considering it to be "verging on unsporting behaviour". Norris risked everything and went for the overtake. This was investigated by the stewards: Tsunoda as weaving but Norris left the track. It was the Red Bull who would be penalised.
By the middle of the race, I felt I was being held hostage to the tyre strategy of the race. Piastri was due to come in to pit on Lap 41 but LeClerc pitted and Ferrari were directing the McLaren strategy now. Norris was brought in instead and Verstappen overtook Piastri. He boxed on the next lap.
With ten laps to go, Verstappen started to panic that LeClerc may not overtake Norris for third place and he would not be getting the championship despite his late efforts. He got his first warning for exceeding track limits as well.
Norris held on to the end though to clinch his championship. Verstappen took the win and Piastri was the biggest loser really having thrown it all away at the end of the season. Norris celebrated with a cry and doughnuts.
Verstappen was being very sweet to Piastri in the cool down room as they awaited Norris, who was interviewed by Coulthard below. Norris was interviewed twice and got to stay on the podium as long as he liked. Piastri was let off doing a long interview. I think everyone was happy with the outcome. I wonder how different it would have felt if Piastri had won.
Meanwhile it was the last race for Tsunoda, Renault, Sauber, DRS and ground effect cars. None of them were going to get much attention but perhaps that was the Plan B for the broadcasters if one of the others won. We will see what next year brings. The rise of Verstappen? A surprise team that excels with the new regulations? Some jazzy new graphics for TV coverage?
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