It's pretty much a given that the Brazil Grand Prix weekend is one that many F1 fans look forward to all season long. And, with the final Sprint weekend of the season also taking place in Interlagos, us fans can expect double the amount of action that this crazy old-school circuit usually provides.
Saturday began, with maybe a not so surprise front row, with McLaren and Lando Norris taking pole for the Sprint alongside Max Verstappen and Red Bull who qualified in second. After what seemed like a return in performance, second Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez, lines up in third. An important position to be in if he is serious about keeping second place in the championship standings.
Sprint time and the majority of the top ten are starting on used soft tyres - an interesting strategy for a race that is hard on tyre degregation. Norris is the first driver to slot into his grid slot, ending the formation lap. With everyone in position, the final sprint of the season is a go!
Verstappen makes the most of an excellent start and a short run going into turn one. He takes the lead from Norris, flying into the Senna Esse's. Perez has a difficult get away, loosing places to both Mercedes. He finds himself going into the second half of the lap in fifth. After passing Perez, George Russell gets the jump on Norris and attempts to chase down Verstappen. Norris is coming under pressure from Lewis Hamilton and Perez. At the beginning of the fourth lap, Perez regains a place, using the very effective slipstream and DRS to take fourth back from Hamilton. He isn't the only one making amends. With DRS, Norris is back in second, demoting Russell back to third.
Further back, the Haas drivers of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen loose places to several drivers including Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, who collided during the qualifying session for the Sprint. But back to the race and it's Verstappen still in front, by nearly two seconds.
Going into lap eight and a battle is brewing between Perez and Russell, with the Red Bull driver on a mission to get back in the top three. Using DRS, he gets past the Mercedes going into the first turn, however, with the second DRS zone, Russell uses it to his advantage to get back past the Mexican driver. A couple of laps later and Perez gives it another go. This time making it work. He goes into turn one as the lead driver of the two, getting a better exit out of turn two/three that helps in defending against Russell going into turn four. He is back in the top three.
After having both cars qualify in the top ten for the sprint, Alpha Tauri is currently repeating that feat with Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda still running in ninth and seventh respectively. The Ferrari of Carlos Sainz finds himself sandwiched in between the two with Ricciardo all over the back of him. The latter makes a move going into the first turn but underestimates it and goes slightly wide, handing the place back to the Ferrari. He tries the same again the next time around, but Sainz stays ahead, whereas McLaren's Oscar Piastri, sat behind Ricciardo, takes advantage on the battle, passing Ricciardo for ninth position.
Just behind this battle is another one between Alonso and Pierre Gasly. They fight for over a lap before Gasly has to yield to Alonso, letting him through for eleventh. Back up front, Verstappen and Norris have pulled clear from Perez who's tyres seem to have given up after his earlier battles. Verstappen comes onto team radio asking his race engineer if he can push more through the high speed corners.
As the race nears it's close, a lot of drivers are beginning to suffer with tyre wear and gaps between drivers are starting to grow. Tsunoda has been stuck behind Charles Leclerc for some time now and is still struggling to find his way past. Leclerc, however, is starting to put pressure on Hamilton who is loosing time over each lap. The Ferrari driver passes the Mercedes with Tsunoda following suite a lap later. Further back, Ricciardo get's ninth back from Piastri.
Verstappen comes through the final corner to take the win of the Brazil Sprint. Norris finishes in second with Perez also in the top three. Russell comes home in fourth followed by Leclerc, Tsunoda, Hamilton and Sainz, who fends off a last minute attack from Ricciardo going across the line. A prime example of race that can be entertaining without the help of yellow flags and safety cars. But what is in store for the Grand Prix?
It's Sunday and so far the unpredictable Brazilian weather is holding up. Our front row, Verstappen and Leclerc, are all poised and ready to lead the other eighteen drivers around the formation lap. The removal of tyre blankets show us all but one car, Logan Sargeant, have opted to start on the softs. The Williams driver is on the mediums. The clock strikes the hour and the formation lap is underway.
However, for Leclerc, the race seems to be over before it has already began. He's in the barrier half way around the lap. "No! I lost the hydraulics! Why the **** am I so unlucky?" You can really feel the pain in his voice in that one. Verstappen leads the remaining drivers onto the grid and into their starting positions. Leclerc's car has been cleared and away they go.
Verstappen get's an excellent get away, leaving the second row of Aston Martins behind. The action, however, is happening behind him. Alexander Albon and Kevin Magnussen have collided off the line, giving the Safety Car it's time to shine. As the Safety Car leads the drivers through the pitlane, on-screen replays show that Hulkenberg was squeezed between Magnussen and Albon, leaving the latter to collide with the German driver. Albon, with no control, slams into Magnussen, ending both of their races. Somewhere in the conflict, Piastri and Ricciardo found themselves involved as well. But back to live images and the race is red flagged.
The pause in proceedings, while the debris is cleared up, has been perfect for Ricciardo and Piastri who both suffered rear wing damage. Leclerc, who was out before the race began, looks hopeful that he can rejoin the race. However, as he never took the start, it's definitely all over for the Ferrari driver.
After a short delay, the announcement comes that the race will be restarting. Ricciardo and Piastri look like they will rejoin the race, after their mechanics have worked hard to fix their cars. However, they will be starting from the pitlane. For everyone else, it will be a standing start. With the remaining fifteen cars lining up on the grid, the top three currently stands as Verstappen, Norris and Hamilton. The five red lights come on and we're back racing.
Once again, Verstappen gets the perfect start, but Norris is coming under pressure from Hamilton who locks up going through the Senna Esses. Other than a couple of puffs of smoke, it's a clean restart. Norris manages to fend of Hamilton, ending the first lap of racing on Verstappen's tail. In the meantime, Hamilton has been passed by Alonso, who now sits happily in third.
The Mercedes of Hamilton and Russell currently sit in fourth and fifth. The latter chimes in on team radio asking if they can "work together." This may be to protect their position from the faster Perez behind them. Further up front, Norris sets the fastest lap of the race, as he continues to hunt down Verstappen. The McLaren driver has DRS going into turn one, but has ran out of straight. He tries another move into turn four, but Verstappen has the Brit covered. Just.
Despite making the call to work together only a few laps ago, Russell now wants to be let past Hamilton. He seems to be within DRS range of his teammate, but his DRS isn't opening. Does he have a problem? Hulkenberg, who just about survived the turn one carnage, is on a recovery driver. However, he has just been past by both Alfa Romeos, relegating him to fourteenth.
Back to the Mercedes pair, they are now under threat from Perez, who is all over the back of Russell. The Red Bull makes a lunge into turn one, getting past Russell. Russell, seemingly miffed, asks his team: "Are we working together or doing our own race?" Their answer: "We are still discussing." A little too late, maybe? Hamilton also seems to be having a difficult day. "Do you want me to race or concede positions? We will concede more positions if I lift," he tells the team as they instruct him for more tyre management through turn eleven.
The first pitstops are underway with Ocon and Zhou coming in for a change of boots. Tsunoda, meanwhile, is driving around with a grassy rear-left. Has he been off?
Things are about to get worse for Mercedes with Perez now on the back of Hamilton. The move is made into turn one, with the help of DRS. Perez now runs in fourth. Hamilton, however, makes the decision to pit, fitting a set of mediums. Sargeant, Bottas and Russell pit also. Reacting to Hamilton's stop, Red Bull decide to bring in Perez. He comes out behind Hamilton, his recent work undone. However, with fresher rubber, Perez is quick to make a move into turn four.
With already a good handful of retirements, we're about to get another one as Zhou comes in for Alfa Romeo, calling it a day. Stroll, who is currently in fourth, pits for Aston Martin, returning to the track behind the Mercedes drivers. Using his fresher tyres to his advantage, he is quick to dispose of Russell. Meanwhile, Alonso pits from third and Sainz, fourth. The latter getting slightly held up by Tsunoda as he exits his pit box. Leaders, Verstappen and Norris, also box. With the first round of stops done and dusted the order is: Verstappen, Norris, Alonso, Perez, Stroll, Hamilton and Russell. Stroll seems to be the big winner.
This race just keeps on getting harder for the Mercedes pair. Hamilton is struggling on his set of mediums and Russell has been passed by Sainz. He's also gotten Hamilton. They're falling down the pecking order. A battle seems to be brewing ahead for the final podium spot between Alonso and Perez. For now though, Perez seems to have backed off. In the meantime, Alfa Romeo's day has come to an abrupt end with the retirement of their second car; Bottas. Five drivers are now out of the race.
The Mercedes team radio channel has been busy thus far today. They are now advising Russell to lift and coast. This gives Gasly the opportunity to catch up and pass the Brit who now sits in ninth. The second round of pitstops are now underway with Sargeant stopping for Williams. Perez also comes in, attempting to undercut Alonso. The Aston Martin comes in the following lap, returning to the action ahead of the Red Bull. Another undercut attempt, but this time it's Sainz trying to get the jump on Stroll. A slow stop sees him return to the track in seventh.
The Alonso x Perez battle seems to be hotting up with the latter now in DRS range. Further back, Ocon sets a fastest lap of the race, while Russell hangs up his helmet. High car temps have forced him into the garage. Another DNF for today. But,it's the battle for third that the world have their eyes on. Perez attempts a lunge into turn one, but Alonso fends him off. Their battle continues for many laps, Alonso has even set the fastest lap thus far.
One lap remaining and Perez FINALLY makes the move on Alonso. But, it's not over. The Spaniard makes a comeback, regaining third into turn four. The continue on in the lap with Perez all over the back of the Aston Martin.
Meanwhile, Verstappen takes another win for Red Bull, Norris coming home second. The fight for third is still not finished. Coming into the final corner Alonso and Perez are neck and neck. They give the crowd a photo finish, Alonso taking the final podium spot by less than one tenth. Stroll holds onto fifth ahead of Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Tsunoda and Ocon. Phew.
Brazil very rarely disappoints and that Alonso x Perez battle was no exception. Next up we have Las Vegas. Love it or hate it, it's happening. See you there!
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