Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural Qatar Formula One Grand Prix with Mercedes on Sunday, cutting the gap with championship leader Max Verstappen to eight points with two rounds remaining.
Red Bull's Verstappen was second after starting from seventh after being penalized five places off the start for ignoring the yellow flags in qualifying on Saturday.
The Dutch driver earned an extra point after setting the fastest lap.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso finished third for Renault-owned Albin to put the 40-year-old Spaniard on the podium for the first time since 2014.
Hamilton happy with the ease of winning
"It was easy, I was alone in front," said Hamilton, who led the race from start to finish under the floodlights.
"I definitely enjoy the races when the competition is strong but we needed those points today, so I think the team has done a great job. We are looking forward to the next two races."
It was Hamilton's seventh win this season, and it increased his record by winning for the 102nd time in his career, as he became the first driver to win at the new track.
Hamilton crossed the finish line, which saw Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim waving the flag of the end, with a difference of 25.743 seconds over Verstappen.
Verstappen, who has won nine times this season, produced a strong performance and managed to reduce the damage as Red Bull closed the gap from 11 to five points with Mercedes, the constructors' championship.
"Of course we were impressed with our starting position but fortunately the start was very good," said Verstappen, who rose to fourth at the end of the first lap and quickly became second.
"I know the competition will be tough until the end and that's what makes me excited. It will be an even competition until the end," he added.
opportunity in Saudi Arabia
The 24-year-old Dutchman could win the title in Saudi Arabia if he wins the race and Hamilton fails to get points.
Mexican Sergio Perez came fourth with Red Bull ahead of French Alpine driver Esteban Ocon.
The race saw the left front tire explode in cars that were trying to cross the finish line by taking one pit stop, including Valtteri Bottas, the Mercedes driver.
The Finn, who was penalized for three places on the start, made a pit stop and came back in 14th place from third before the team asked him to withdraw from the race 10 laps from the end.
Lance Stroll finished sixth with Aston Martin, ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
McLaren's Lando Norris finished ninth in the race, while Sebastian Vettel came in tenth with Aston Martin.
Williams duo George Russell and Nicholas Latifi suffered a punctured tire, which led to the use of the virtual safety car.
The race was held on the day Qatar celebrated the start of the countdown to hosting the FIFA World Cup one year later.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino brought the championship trophy to the track, while Jean Todt, president of the International Automobile Federation, carried the Formula 1 trophy.