BRAZIL. Sao Paolo: Mercedes AMG Petronas driver and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton posted a stunning win at the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend.
The British driver beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to achieve the fist spot. Verstappen, who won the race’s last edition in 2019, finished second. While Mercedes’s Valtteri Bottas finished third, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez secured the fourth position also clocking the fastest lap of the race.
Hamilton’s spectacular victory
Despite starting from 10th position on the grid, Hamilton finished the race and secured the top position with a 10-second advantage over Verstappen.
Hamilton’s first attempt to overtake Verstappen resulted in the vehicle going off the track. But, he got past Verstappen on Lap 59 and retained the lead to finally win in Sao Paulo.
Earlier, Hamilton was excluded from qualifying in Sao Paulo. Due to this, he had to start the sprint race from the back.
Hamilton performed brilliantly to finish fifth in the sprint but was served a five-place grid penalty for using the fifth power unit of the season.
Lewis Hamilton started the race trailing Max Verstappen by 21 points. Now, with three races remaining and 78 points available, and the overall gap reduced to 14 points only, the drivers are up for an exciting race ahead.
“I tried everything I could, but we were just not quick enough. Still, good points. Good job,” Red Bull Driver, Max Verstappen said.
“I’m so grateful for the incredible support I’ve had this weekend. I haven’t had as much support like this since Silverstone” said Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton while praising both his team and the crowd in Brazil.
He further added “What a race. The team did a great job, Valtteri (Bottas) did a great job. With the penalties, it’s the hardest race weekend I’ve had.”
Team Mercedes took a bold call to change Hamilton’s power unit as overtaking was certainly possible at Interlagos.
Meanwhile, the Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secured the fifth and sixth position.
Pierre Gasly took up the seventh position after overtaking Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso in the closing stages of the race.
After coming in contact with Sainz during the opening lap, Lando Norris finished P10. He was just 1.2 seconds ahead of Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel who finished 11th.
Alfa Romeo’s Raikkonen finished 12th recovering eight places as he started from the pit lane. George Russell finished at P13 while Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi secured P14.
Japanese driver Tsunoda finished 15th after he took a 10-second penalty when he came in contact with Stroll. Stroll retired on Lap 50 due to damage suffered by his car from the contact.
Nicholas Latifi finished 16th, 42 seconds ahead of Russian driver Nikita Mazepin who finished 17th. Schumacher finished 18th while McLaren’s Ricciardo retired on Lap 51 with an engine issue.
Brazil Grand Prix Top 5
- Lewis Hamilton (Team Mercedes AMG Petronas), Time: 1:32:22.851, Points: 25
- Max Verstappen (Team Red Bull Racing Honda), Time: +10.496s, Points: 18
- Valtteri Bottas (Team Mercedes AMG Petronas), Time: +13.576s, Points: 15
- Sergio Pérez (Team Red Bull Racing Honda), Time: +39.940s, Points: 13
- Charles Leclerc (Team Ferrari) , Time: +49.517s, Points: 10
Driver Standing after Brazil GP
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), Points: 332.5
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Points: 318.5
- Valteri Bottas (Mercedes), Points: 203
Constructors Standings after Brazil GP
- Mercedes – (Hamilton / Bottas), Points: 521.5
- Red Bull Racing – (Verstappen / Perez), Points: 510.5
- Ferrari – (Charles / Carlos), Points: 287.5
About Brazilian Grand Prix
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace commonly referred to as Interlagos is located in the southern region of São Paulo, in the Interlagos district.
Taking inspiration from three main circuits like United Kingdom’s Brooklands, United States’ Roosevelt Raceway, and France’s Montlhery, the track designers began the work in 1938. The track was inaugurated in 1940.
The circuit was renamed in 1985 from “Autódromo de Interlagos” to its current name after Formula One driver from Brazil Carlos Pace, who died in a plane crash in 1977.
The first World Championship Brazilian Grand Prix was held in 1973. São Paulo local and defending Formula One World Champion Fittipaldi won the race for two consecutive years followed by Brazilian driver José Carlos Pace who won in 1975.
The present design of the track dates back to 1990 when the original circuit was shortened from 7.87385 km to 4.325 km. The new track still had a very long top-speed section that contained bumps, high-speed turns, and little run-off area.
Upcoming schedules
Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled from November 19-21 at Losail International Circuit.
To catch hold of the latest and related sports news please visit the Sports Section.
