2024-11-03 18:53:00
Double feat at the Brazilian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen, leader of the Formula 1 world championship, took a serious shot at the title by winning the race on Sunday November 3; when the French from Alpine Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly took the other two places on the podium.
“Super Max” had not won in a GP since the end of June, in Spain. On the famous wet Interlagos track, the Red Bull driver ended a drought of more than four months without a Sunday victory – or ten races – by winning from a very distant 17e place.
Also readFormula 1: world champion Max Verstappen wins the last Grand Prix of the season
“I went through all the emotions,” he reacted upon arrival. “We stayed away from problems and we made the right decisions,” he also said.
His victory did not eclipse the performance of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. We had not seen two French people at the same time on the podium since 1997 (Olivier Panis and Jean Alesi 2e et 3e in Spain).
Like Verstappen, the French Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly – 2e et 3e – also benefited from the racing circumstances in Sao Paulo to offer Alpine its first podium of the year.
Also readF1: Gasly and Ocon, Norman false brothers to carry Renault Alpine
Thanks to this double podium, the French team, in great difficulty since the start of the season, jumped to sixth place (out of 10) in the constructors’ standings.
A race disrupted by the weather
In the championship, Verstappen takes 18 points from Norris. At the next meeting, in Las Vegas, “Mad Max” has a first chance to retain his world crown since he is now 62 points ahead of his British rival, and could therefore be titled in the streets of the cited from the game on November 23.
When the lights went out, George Russell, second on the grid, immediately took the reins of the race from polesitter Norris. Far behind, Verstappen also got off to an excellent start since at the end of the first lap, the three-time reigning world champion was already 11e. True to his status, the Dutchman then progressed to gradually move up the hierarchy.
Shortly before halfway, several drivers – including the two leaders Russell and Norris – took advantage of the intervention of the virtual safety car (VSC) to return to the pits and put on new tires.
Ocon, then third after starting fourth on the grid, thus regained the lead of the race ahead of Verstappen and his teammate Gasly.
“Everyone ‘boxed’ because the rain was coming,” Gasly explained to the French press, “but we then decided to stay on the track.” “I thought we were going to get into trouble” – because visibility was very limited – “but we know that at that moment, someone is going to make a mistake, so we had to measure the risks and opportunities,” he also said.
Things were completely under control since the leading trio, who had not stopped to change their tires until now, benefited from a “free” pit stop a few laps later, when the race was interrupted after the Argentinian Franco Colapinto (Williams) went off the track.
When the GP restarted, Ocon, very comfortable on a wet track, quickly got rid of Verstappen… Until Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) went off the track, necessitating the neutralization of the race and the intervention of the safety car.
At the new restart, Verstappen showed all his talent in the rain to take back the reins of the GP from Normandy and begin his flight.
Behind, Ocon played solidly to maintain his rank ahead of Gasly, 13e on the grid, which resisted the Mercedes of George Russell until the end, finally fourth.
This weekend, drivers and teams had to deal with a revised program due to the downpours of rain which fell on Saturday afternoon in the Sao Paulo region. For this reason, qualifying was postponed until Sunday morning. At their end, Lando Norris won the eighth pole of his F1 career – the 7e this season.
With AFP
1730681628
#Formula #double #French #performance #Brazil #Verstappen #returns #victory
**Interview with F1 Expert on the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix**
**Interviewer:** Welcome! We just witnessed an incredible race at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen clinched a stunning victory from 17th place. What are your thoughts on his performance today?
**Expert:** Thank you! Verstappen’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal. To win from 17th on a challenging wet track at Interlagos really highlights his skill and adaptability. It’s a testament to his experience and his team’s strategic decisions during the race.
**Interviewer:** The conditions were certainly tricky. How did the weather impact the race dynamics, especially when we saw drivers opting for tire changes?
**Expert:** The weather played a pivotal role. The rain brought about uncertainty, and many drivers were scrambling to make the best decisions. Verstappen and his team stayed calm during the chaos, which allowed him to avoid the pitfalls that claimed others. His ability to read the track and take calculated risks set him apart today.
**Interviewer:** And what about the commendable performances from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who finished in second and third? How significant was their podium finish?
**Expert:** It was a huge moment for Alpine! This marks their first podium of the season, which is a morale boost for the team after struggling earlier in the year. Having both drivers on the podium together is historic for Alpine and reflects their potential moving forward. They managed to capitalize on the unfolding events and executed their strategies effectively.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, how does this victory impact Verstappen’s championship standing?
**Expert:** Winning in Brazil helps Verstappen extend his lead to 62 points over Lando Norris, putting him in a very strong position as we head to Las Vegas. He has a golden opportunity to secure the championship there. It’s going to take a significant turnaround for Norris to catch up, but you never know in F1—anything can happen!
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what are your expectations for the next race in Las Vegas given today’s results?
**Expert:** Given Verstappen’s current form and confidence, coupled with Red Bull’s overall performance, I expect him to be the favorite again in Las Vegas. However, Norris will be looking to mount a challenge. The atmosphere in Vegas will also add a new dimension to the race, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the drivers adapt to that circuit.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights! It’s going to be an exciting next few races as the championship unfolds.
**Expert:** Absolutely! It’s what makes Formula 1 so thrilling. Looking forward to the next race!
