Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) crossed the finish line in second place, and his compatriot and teammate Pierre Gasly was third.
Verstappen increased his lead in the general classification over the series runner-up Lando Norris to 62 points. The British McLaren driver started on Sunday from pole position, but finished the competition in sixth place.
This point difference means that the Dutchman can secure the championship title in the next round, which will take place on November 23 in Las Vegas.
Throughout the weekend in Sao Paulo, the organizers struggled with problems, mainly resulting from difficult weather conditions. Heavy rainfall on Saturday prevented the qualifications scheduled for that day from taking place. It was postponed to Sunday, but it did not go smoothly due to several accidents.
As a result of one of them, the judges stopped the competition less than a minute before the end of the second qualifying session, so Verstappen could not improve his time and finished only 12th. Because the engine in his car was replaced once again this season, the Dutchman was moved back five positions at the start.
The start of the race was moved from 6 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Polish time because the weather forecast predicted heavy rainfall in the evening, but this time there were complications. During the formation lap, Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) made a mistake, finding himself on the gravel and unable to continue driving. Removing the vehicle from the track delayed the start of the competition by another 20 minutes.
In turn, after 32 laps, all drivers entered the pit lane and got out of their cars because a red flag appeared after the accident of Franco Colapinto (Williams). The Argentine skidded and crashed his car while the safety car was on the track. The 21-year-old South American driver, who made his F1 debut this season, was not injured.
The race was resumed after approximately 30 minutes, but there were further accidents until the end of the competition.
Verstappen benefited most from this chaos, moving from 17th at the start to first and winning his 62nd career victory, and the first since June 23, when he won in Spain. Norris may be unlucky as he started from pole position and at an unfortunate moment stopped for a tire change. A moment later, most of the other drivers did the same, but they did not lose any time because they did it during neutralization.
Results (* – additional point for the fastest lap):
1. Max Verstappen (Holandia/Red Bull)* 2:06.54,430
2. Esteban Ocon (France/Alpine) loss 19.477 s
3. Pierre Gasly (France/Alpine) 22,532
4. George Russell (GB/Mercedes) 23,265
5. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 30.177
6. Lando Norris (GB/McLaren) 31,372
7. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan/Racing Bulls) 42,056
8. Oscar Piastri (Australia/McLaren) 44,943
9. Liam Lawson (N. Zealand/Racing Bulls) 50.452
10. Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) 50,753
General driver classification:
1. Max Verstappen (Holandia/Red Bull) 393 pkt
2. Lando Norris (GB/McLaren) 331
3. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 307
4. Oscar Piastri (Australia/McLaren) 262
5. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spain/Ferrari) 244
6. George Russell (UK/Mercedes) 192
7. Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) 190
8. Sergio Perez (Mexico/Red Bull) 151
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain/Aston Martin) 62
10. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany/Haas) 31
Constructors classification:
1. McLaren 593
2. Ferrari 557
3. Red Bull 544
4. Mercedes 382
5. Aston Martin 86
6. Alpine 49
Read also:
ps, PAP
Well, well, well, if it isn’t the dramatic tale from Sao Paulo, where rain, wrecks, and Verstappen’s valiant charge made headlines and rubber burned! A round of applause for Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who waved the French flag high, securing second and third for Alpine. Meanwhile, Verstappen took a page from Houdini’s book, vanishing from 17th to 1st like it was a magic trick. If only my bank account could do the same!
So, Verstappen, the Dutch driver with a knack for making things look easy, has now increased his lead over Lando Norris to a whopping 62 points—like a pastry chef adding sprinkles on a cake that didn’t even need it! Poor Lando started from pole but ended up sixth. I’d say it’s a classic case of ‘pole to nowhere’. It’s as if he found himself in the wrong race—maybe he took a wrong turn in McLaren’s parking lot!
Now, marking your calendar for November 23 in Las Vegas sounds like the perfect excuse to head out for a cheeky weekend. Imagine the spectacle—a race in the city of lights, where money dances, and drivers hope to dance right into a championship title. Verstappen can nab that title next round, assuming he doesn’t trip over his own shoelaces in the pit stop! But hey, who doesn’t love a little suspense in their racing? It’s like watching a soap opera with faster cars and better haircuts!
The Sao Paulo Weekend was nothing short of a soap opera itself, marred by fickle weather conditions. See, while most folks enjoy a cozy day indoors with tea when it’s pouring outside, F1 organizers had the joyful task of figuring out how to run a race. Heavy rain on Saturday put a damper on qualifications, leading the judges to press pause on the excitement—talk about keeping everyone on the edge of their seat! Then there was the ever-dramatic Lance Stroll. The guy couldn’t even survive the formation lap without finding himself stuck in the gravel. It’s almost as if his car was auditioning for a role in “Finding Dory”!
But let’s dive into the real show—a race that had everything! We had more red flags than a bullfight, and drivers diving into the pits like they were running for the last piece of cake. Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine driver, took center stage with a crash that acted like the ultimate group hug, forcing everyone to halt while they assessed the scene. Thankfully, he walked away unscathed—because let’s face it, the last thing we need is for a 21-year-old rookie to enter the “crash club.”
And in true Verstappen fashion, while others floundered and stumbled, he seized the moment! I mean, you’d think he was in a different race altogether as he sped from the back of the grid to clinch his 62nd career victory. Oh, and a little extra point for the fastest lap—just to sprinkle some action on top of this chaotic cake! Meanwhile, Lando’s pit stop debacle has thrown him into the “unlucky chap” category. It’s like going to a party only to discover you’re the last one to find the cake!
Final Thoughts
As we gear up for the next race in Las Vegas, it’s hard not to wonder what madness awaits. Will Verstappen add another title to his collection? Will Lando pull off a miracle? Will Lance find a way off the gravel? One thing’s for sure—it won’t be boring!
Final Results:
1. Max Verstappen (Holandia/Red Bull)* 2:06.54,430
2. Esteban Ocon (France/Alpine) loss 19.477 s
3. Pierre Gasly (France/Alpine) 22,532
4. George Russell (GB/Mercedes) 23,265
5. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 30.177
6. Lando Norris (GB/McLaren) 31.372
7. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan/Racing Bulls) 42.056
8. Oscar Piastri (Australia/McLaren) 44.943
9. Liam Lawson (N. Zealand/Racing Bulls) 50.452
10. Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) 50.753
General Driver Classification:
1. Max Verstappen (Holandia/Red Bull) 393 pkt
2. Lando Norris (GB/McLaren) 331
3. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 307
4. Oscar Piastri (Australia/McLaren) 262
5. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spain/Ferrari) 244
6. George Russell (UK/Mercedes) 192
7. Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) 190
8. Sergio Perez (Mexico/Red Bull) 151
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain/Aston Martin) 62
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Germany/Haas) 31
Constructors Classification:
1. McLaren 593
2. Ferrari 557
3. Red Bull 544
4. Mercedes 382
5. Aston Martin 86
6. Alpine 49
And with that, folks, fasten your seatbelts because the next leg is bound to be a wild ride! Who knew watching cars go in circles could be so tantalizing? Until next time, keep your engines revved and your wits sharper!
**Interview: Max Verstappen’s Amazing Victory at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix**
*Interviewer (I):* Welcome, our motorsport expert, Carla, who’s here to discuss the thrilling action at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix. Carla, what a race we witnessed! Max Verstappen pulled off an astonishing victory after starting 17th. How would you describe his performance?
*Carla (C):* Absolutely exhilarating! Verstappen’s drive was nothing short of phenomenal. He navigated through the chaos, capitalizing on every opportunity that came his way. To go from 17th to 1st in a race filled with unpredictability showcases not just his driving skill but also his strategic thinking on the track.
*I:* Certainly! Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished second and third, respectively, securing a fantastic result for Alpine. What does this mean for the team moving forward?
*C:* This podium finish is a significant boost for Alpine. Ocon and Gasly’s performance solidifies their competitiveness among the front-runners. For a team that has often been overshadowed, this result highlights their potential and could fuel their momentum in the upcoming races.
*I:* It’s quite a leaderboard shake-up! Verstappen now leads the championship by 62 points over Lando Norris, who started on pole but ended up in sixth. How crucial do you think those points are as we head towards the next race?
*C:* Those points are critical for Verstappen. He has a solid gap now, which means he can approach the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a bit more leeway. However, we know how quickly things can change in F1. Norris may have had an off day, but he’s proven to be a strong contender, and he won’t make it easy for Verstappen.
*I:* Indeed! The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend was complicated by adverse weather conditions, affecting qualifications and race start times. How did these factors play into the race strategy?
*C:* Weather certainly added a layer of complexity. Heavy rainfall disrupted the qualifying session, which ultimately placed Verstappen further back on the grid. The rain and subsequent accidents during the race created opportunities for drivers to adapt their strategies on the fly. It’s a testament to the teams’ and drivers’ ability to think quickly and respond to changing conditions.
*I:* You mentioned the multitude of red flags and interruptions during the race. How do you think this affected the drivers’ mentalities on the track?
*C:* Each red flag and delay can shake a driver’s focus. For some, it can create frustration, while for others, like Verstappen, it was an opportunity. Staying mentally sharp during those stops is crucial, and Verstappen managed to maintain his composure, which ultimately paid off in a big way.
*I:* Lastly, looking ahead to Las Vegas—what should fans expect from that race, especially with the championship title potentially on the line for Verstappen?
*C:* Las Vegas is set to be an incredible spectacle! It’s a new venue and adds an element of excitement. With the championship title looming, expect heightened tensions and fierce competition. Verstappen will be aiming to secure his title while Norris and other drivers will be hungry for revenge. It’ll be a must-watch for any motorsport fan!
*I:* Thank you, Carla, for your insights. The Brazilian Grand Prix certainly lived up to its billing, and we can’t wait to see what Las Vegas has in store for us!
