Max Versteppen showcased another dominant display on race day as he cruised to victory in Brazil. Despite the carnage of an early Ferrari retirement and a red flag, the Dutchman had an answer to everything, taking his 17th Grand Prix victory of the season.
Lando Norris did as much as he could taking a brilliant second place for McLaren.
Fernando Alonso looked back to his best scrapping for the final podium place after a ding-dong battle with Perez on the final lap.
On the other hand it was a day to forget for the Mercedes drivers. Russell retired while Hamilton struggled for pace all race in a damaging day for his WDC aspirations.
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‘Why am I so unlucky?’
The race was chaotic from the start with second place, Charles Leclerc not even making it to the grid. The Ferrari driver suffered a hydraulic failure on the formation lap which sent him careering into the barriers.
“Why am I so unlucky?” he said over team radio. You have to feel sorry for the Monegasque driver after another pointless Sunday passed him by.
When the race got underway it was no less dramatic. Norris gained four place in a brilliant start for the McLaren. The same couldn’t be said for his teammate, Piatri who got caught up in the drama behind.
An incident involving Albon and Magnussen brought out the first red flag of the day and left a mixed up order for the restart. Verstappen kept his cool out in front to stay in first.
It allowed Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo to start from the pit lane when the race resorted. The red flag providing crucial time for their teams to repair the cars after taking damage on the first lap.
When the race got back underway it was Alonso who came out fighting. The Aston Martins had been slow off the start. However the Spaniard caught Hamilton napping and moved back up to third place.
Meanwhile Norris applied pressure to the leader at the front. The McLaren kept pace with the Red Bull in the early laps but Verstappen had time up his sleeve. The Dutchman able to pull out a few tenths when necessary.
On the other hand the Mercedes cars were falling back in a similar fashion to the sprint. Managing rather than pushing as Alonso cruised away from them in third.
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‘Are we working as a team’
Things went from bad to worse as Perez got passed both Russell and Hamilton by lap 18.
An exasperated Russell came onto team radio to ask whether the Mercedes cars were “working as a team”.
The Mercedes cars were the first to come in with both drivers sticking on a new set of mediums. It worked a treat for Hamilton, too, undercutting Perez.
However, it wouldn’t be long before the Mexican driver got passed him again, the Red Bull having the clear pace advantage.
Tsunoda was having a strong race following a strong performance in Saturdays spin.t He overtook Cottas for 10th to claim the last championship point.
Crucially, he took the position from constructors rival, Alfa Romeo, as Bottas slipped down to 11th.The Finn was soon out together with another Ferrari power unit giving up in the race.
He joined his teammate Zhou in watching the race from the sidelines.
This boost in performance has come too late in the season for Alpha Tauri, but they will feel optimistic about taking the fight to Williams for 7th in the last few races.
Mercedes misery
But Mercedes soon came in for the soft tyres in a desperate bid to make up some ground. Despite doing well over one lap, the team have not been able to keep up with the leaders in Brazil.
The Alpines of Gasly and Ocon were both in the mix as they look to challenge for points.
Meanwhile Perez continue to hunt down Alonso in the fight for third place. It was enjoyable to see the Aston Martin working so well after a barren spell that followed the run of early podiums.
Fernando clearly showing he is still up for the fight as he hopes to quash any rumours about a departure to Red Bull.
No match for Verstappen
It was a strong race for Alpine with a double points finish for the team. Gasly in particular had a strong race day beating Hamilton in sixth.
Tsunoda also put the incident in Mexico behind him to take a strong ninth for Alpha Tauri. The points coming after the 3 point he secured in yesterdays sprint. If they can keep this form up Williams will be sweating by the time we get to Abu Dhabi.
It was a torrid time for Mercedes as Russell was forced to retire on lap 58. Hamilton was nowhere as he trundled to the finish in 8th. That will hurt on a track and country that he loves so much.
He now has it all to do if he wants to claim second in the WDC.
Sainz and Stroll had solid races coming home in 6th and 5th respectively but they were no match for Alonso’s pace.
The Spaniard battled Perez all the way to the finish as he claimed the final podium spot by less than a tenth for a second. Checo will be pleased though as that spark seemed to return for the first time in a fair few races.
The top two were in a class of their own however. Lando Norris controlling second place from the start while Verstappen was dominant.
The British driver took driver of the day as McLaren continue to impress at the back end of the 2023 season.
But it was the Dutchman didn’t put a foot wrong all day and comfortably came through for another victory in this record breaking season.
We now have a two week break before heading to the inaugural Las Vegas GP.