Verstappen leads Alpine duo to win hectic Brazilian GP
Having started from 17th on the grid, Max Verstappen made perfect use of the mixed weather and track conditions to fight through the field and win the Brazilian Grand Prix, leading Ocon and Gasly as both Alpines join the World Champion on the podium.
The Brazilian Grand Prix kicked off as the entire weekend had been going on already with Stroll actually crashing on the formation lap, so the Canadian got eliminated before even getting to the grid after also crashing out of qualifying earlier today.
When it was time to start the for the formation lap, race control actually called for an aborted start due to Stroll's crash, but cars got going, including Norris. As they should have stayed on the grid instead, the McLaren driver got noted for an infringement.
Colapinto meanwhile also parked in the wrong starting slot. After initially taking position on the correct slot he confusingly moved over to the other side to take Stroll's empty spot.
This allowed the mechanics back on track for 10 minutes before another, this time valid formation start was done.
Out went the lights then for the real start with Norris away but immediately losing position to Russell who started alongside. Behind Tsunoda, Ocon and Lawson are three abreast. But Lawson had to back out of it as he is on the outside, and he loses out to Leclerc.
As the rain eased off a bit and the situation in front stabilised, Max Verstappen carved his way back up through the field. The Dutchman already passed 8 cars at the start and found lots of grip to easily get past Alonso soon after that as well. By the end of lap 11 Verstappen was ahead of Lawson and on his way to catch Leclerc in 6th place.
By lap 15 the intermediate tyres were starting to become a problem as drivers started weaving to cool them down as the racing line was becoming too dry. This started of series of about 10 laps where everybody was mostly busy trying to keep their tyres in decent shape and keep the car on track.
With harder rain though, Sainz had a moment in lap 24, triggering a pitstop for Leclerc to take on a new set of intermediates. As rain further intensified, Piastr and Lawson were noted for a collision and Ocon passed Tsunoda for third place. Leclerc meanwhile had a difficult time fighting his way past slower cars. Hulkenberg got stuck on a kerb and needed clearing, triggering a VSC period.
This in turn caused a flurry of pitstops with some opting for full wets. Russell found out he couldn't find any grip and got passed by Norris. The safety car was subsequently brought out as rain became very very intense. Behind it, Ocon found himself in the lead, ahead of Verstappen and Gasly, the only three who hadn't pitted. Norris was fourth and then Russell.
Then Colapinto suddenly crashed on the main straight, leaving Williams with another totally destroyed car after Albon was already unable to start the race following a crash in qualifying.
The restart was hectic once again with Bearman and Zhou both through the grass even before Ocon passed the finish line to get going again. A brief yellow flag state in Sector 3 didn't hamper Ocon to make a solid restart, leaving Verstappen with no opportunity to gain a position. Gasly was immediately distanced while Norris behind went off at Turn 4 and saw Russell take 4th.
In heavy spray and with everybody on intermediates, Hamilton made some progress again by passing Alonso at Turn 1 for 9th place. Leclerc meanwhile struggled to stay on track while Bearman, while chasing Sainz for 13th went off, into a spin and mildly into the tyre wall. He reversed and continue without much trouble, but obviously in last position.
Two laps later, after yet another cross country run by Bearman, Sainz was slightly too eager to get past Pere and thereby went off in Turn 6. Sainz hit the barriers harder than Bearman did but as the marshalls came out, Sainz remained in the car to get running again. After 20 seconds or so he eventually did, only to find his front suspension broken and retiring from the race the next lap.
So, after three more laps behind the safety car, Ocon restarted once again on lap 43, this time with Verstappen right on Ocon's tail and immediately taking the lead from Ocon. Norris meanwhile couldn't keep his car on track and fell behind Piastri to 7th.
In the midfield Alonso, Hamilton, Perez and Bearman were in a complex battle with Hamilton clearly in trouble, in line with his earlier complaints about his car being undriveable. Alonso then completely missed the final corner and ended up in last position.
Two laps later Norris got past Piastri once again as the duo pressured Leclerc for 5th place. The Ferrari driver was doing all he could but saw Russell slowly get away.
While the rain had stopped and spray was clearly reducing, more rain was announced before the end of the race.
As it seemed to stay away and the track tried, Russell came closer to Gasly but seemed unable to make a decisive move. The same was true to Hamilton who chased Lawson but didn't really get to make an overtake while he also had to keep an eye on Perez who was just behind and eyeing a point for himself as well.
Positions remained the same as following another few fastest laps by Verstappen and being voted driver of the day, Max Verstappen took a well deserved victory in a complex Brazilian Grand Prix, leading the Alpine duo for a massive result for the struggling French team.
