As usual, Interlagos offered us its anthology of surprises. It even started from the formation lap with the exit of Lance Stroll, trapped by the wet track at turn 4. Stuck in the gravel, the Canadian thus forced the race management to launch a second formation lap before asking the drivers to return to the grid for a new start.
Still in the wet and as the rain made its appearance, Lando Norris saw George Russell dive at the first corner to steal the lead of the race on the first lap. Aware that he was playing big in the championship and that Max Verstappen was starting 17th, Norris did not tempt the devil, always remaining in contact without attacking.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman, unleashed, quickly found the Top 10, gradually getting closer to his runner-up in the championship. Sixth while the rain increased in intensity at the dawn of the 28th lap and Nico Hülkenberg caused a Virtual Safety Car, Max Verstappen preferred to continue on the track unlike the leaders George Russell and Lando Norris who played the card of security.
This allowed the three-time world champion to find himself second behind Esteban Ocon when the VSC became a Safety Car. If he thought he was trapped because he would have lost all the advantage of his 2nd place when he made his stop later, Max Verstappen saw the Grand Prix neutralized after the violent exit from the track of Franco Colapinto which caused a flag red on the 32nd lap. A godsend for him since he was able to change his tires for free while Lando Norris was 4th behind Pierre Gasly.
After an interruption of just over 20 minutes, Max Verstappen was able to resume his march forward. Patient at first behind Esteban Ocon, the Red Bull driver did not hesitate for a single second to dive at the first corner after another Safety Car restart at the end of the 42nd lap (caused by Carlos Sainz’s accident).
Freed from Esteban Ocon and with the field clear behind, the Dutchman was then uncompromising, stringing together the best laps. Little by little he broke away from Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly to take the checkerboard with almost 20 seconds in advance. Better yet, he saw Lando Norris make mistakes in the second game that cost him dearly. The Englishman first missed in the first corner before going wide in turn 4 falling back to 6th behind Charles Leclerc and George Russell.
In the championship, this victory, which puts an end to a series of 10 Grand Prix shortages, allows Max Verstappen to achieve an excellent operation. Indeed, with Lando Norris’ 6th place, the leader now pushes his rival back to 62. This gives him a first match point since if he finishes ahead of the Briton in Las Vegas (November 17), he will be crowned for fourth times in his career.
With this double podium, Alpine achieves the coup of the year and moves up to 6th place in the championship. Moreover, only Racing Bulls scored points in this battle. With 33 points this Sunday, the Blues passed Haas by three lengths (49 to 46). This is also the first double French presence on a podium since the 1997 Spanish Grand Prix when Jean Alesi (Benetton, 3rd) and Olivier Panis (Prost, 2nd) accompanied Jacques Villeneuve on the box.
Max Verstappen became the third driver in history to win from 17th place on the grid after John Watson at Detroit in 1982 and Kimi Räikkönen in 2005 at Suzuka.
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