Max Verstappen wins the Brazilian Grand Prix after a chaotic race, both Alpines on the podium

After one hundred and thirty-three days of scarcity, “Mad Max” is back on the top step of the podium! Under the deluge, the Dutchman won the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix at the wheel of his Red Bull on Sunday November 3 on the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo – his eighth success this season. The one who is aiming for a fourth consecutive title – a performance achieved, between 2017 and 2020, by the Briton Lewis Hamilton – had not won a single race for almost four months, in Spain.

« My emotions were on a roller coaster!declared, very happy, the Red Bull driver, although he started a distant 17^e position on the starting grid. We stayed out of trouble and made the right decisions. » With this victory, the Dutchman took a decisive advantage in the general classification over his pursuer Lando Norris, only 6^e Today. With three races remaining in the championship, the three-time reigning world champion has 393 points in the drivers' standings, 62 more than his runner-up.

The podium is completed by the two Alpine single-seaters, which achieved an unexpected result thanks to a providential red flag appearing at mid-race, after the spectacular accident of the Argentinian Franco Colapinto (Williams). With Esteban Ocon's second place and Pierre Gasly's third, the French team secured its first podium of the season. The last time two Frenchmen were on the box was in 1997, at the Spanish Grand Prix.

« Two cars on the podium, no one could have imagined this result! welcomed Ocon, falling into the arms of his teammate in the finish area. This morning I had a terrible qualifying session, I'm so proud of the team, so proud to come back after such a difficult season. » With this double, Alpine jumps to sixth place in the manufacturer standings.

A chaotic race

After three Grands Prix in three weeks, fatigue is starting to be felt in the paddocks. The Brazilian rain will not have helped the affairs of the pilots and mechanics, giving this 21^e racing weekend (of 24) looks like a berezina. We even doubted whether the Brazilian Grand Prix would complete its 70 laps, at the rate of track exits. “ It was limited, the game was to stay on the track, we drove very slowly », Confided Pierre Gasly at the microphone of Canal+, exhausted.

The exciting day started very early, with a qualifying session – postponed due to rain – contested at dawn this Sunday and marked by five accidents and as many red flags. On a wet track, many cars ended their race in the background. The Grand Prix contested a few hours later was just as chaotic. The start was initially delayed following Lance Stroll's exit from the track during the formation lap. Spinning in the gravel, the Aston Martin driver had to retire even before the start of the race.

Winner of the sprint race on Saturday, Lando Norris did not benefit from his pole position for long. The 24-year-old Briton, neck and neck with Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings, nevertheless had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the championship. The Red Bull driver only featured in 17^e position on the grid, due to a five-place penalty for changing his engine for the sixth time this season, exceeding the allowed maximum of four.

But halfway through the race, the spectacular accident of the Argentinian Franco Colapinto redistributed the cards. The Argentinian lost control of his car and violently hit a wall. The driver escaped unscathed, but the race was neutralized while the track was secured.

Esteban Ocon, who was leading the race at the time of the interruption, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Pierre Gasly, who until now had not stopped to change their tires, thus benefited from a stop “free” to the pits when the race was interrupted. Thanks to intense rain, the three drivers were no longer caught during this interminable session. Verstappen took back the reins of the Grand Prix from Normand and began his flight.

With this big boost from destiny, Verstappen takes 18 points from Norris. The Dutchman could retain his world crown at the next meeting, in Las Vegas, on November 23.