MAX VERSTAPPEN stormed to victory in a chaotic and pulsating Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull man, who lost the win here 12 months ago when he was clipped and spun by Esteban Ocon, took the chequered flag with a brilliant drive.
Verstappen snapped up his third win of the yearCredit: Reuters
The pole sitter fought off several challenges to win in BrazilCredit: AFP or licensors
But Verstappen was only part of the story in what was the standout race of the season.
The championship might be over, but this race was never going to be a dead-rubber and was full of drama featuring:
- Ferrari teammates Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc crashing into each other.
- Lewis Hamilton crashing into Alex Albon and potentially facing a time penalty.
- A stunning podium for Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly.
Hamilton made a great start, leapfrogging Vettel from the start line and snatching second place before the first corner.
And it stayed that way until the end of lap 20 when Hamilton pitted for tyres.
However, rather than opting for the more durable medium or hard rubber, Merc swapped him with a new set of soft tyres meaning he needed to stop later for a different compound.
Red Bull responded by calling in Verstappen to do the same strategy to cover off the threat of Hamilton.
It was a huge P2 for French racer GaslyCredit: Reuters
Vettel was left apoplectic after crashing outCredit: AFP or licensors
However, they came unstuck when the Williams team released Robert Kubica from the pitlane into the path of Verstappen, force him to slam on the brakes.
The Dutchman was rightly furious and returned to the track behind Hamilton while Kubica was served with a five-second time penalty for the incident.
Yet Verstappen’s woes were short-lived as, with the bit between his teeth, he swooped past Hamilton at the start of the following lap.
The Brit was unhappy and started questioning his team’s tyre choices. On lap 30 he said: “I think we’ve gone to the wrong tyre, we should be on the medium.”
He made his second stop for mediums at the end of lap 43 and started hunting down Verstappen without really putting the Dutchman under too much pressure.
But all that changed on lap 52 when Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas blew his engine.
The Finn, who has been struggling to overtake Charles Leclerc, despite the Ferrari man being on older and harder tyres, saw his race end in a puff of smoke.
And, somewhat inexplicably, Bottas parked his car at the side of the track, forcing the stewards to deploy the Safety Car while marshals recovered the stricken Merc.
Red Bull called Verstappen in from the lead for fresh tyres – his third stop – while Mercedes told Hamilton to do the opposite.
It left it poised for a thrilling restart; Hamilton leading but with Verstappen breathing down his neck with fresh rubber.
Hamilton did his best to hold off the Red Bull but Verstappen held his nerve and took on the six-time world champion to pass him at the outside of Turn Two.
It was brilliant stuff from Verstappen, who held on to the win despite two late safety cars.
Hamilton accepted responsibility for nudging Albon with the stewards’ verdict pendingCredit: AFP or licensors
Ayrton Senna’s son Bruno drove his famous 1988 McLaren before a momentous day for Honda powered carsCredit: Alamy Live News
And Gasly, who was dumped from Red Bull earlier in the season, came second in what was his first podium.
There was even more late drama on the penultimate lap as Hamilton crashed into Albon, which leaves the Brit looking at receiving a time penalty that could drop him off the podium.
Hamilton was demoted to seventh place after hitting Alex Albon.
He said: “I fully accept the responsibility. I was coming from behind and I touched him.
“There looked like there could be an opportunity but it did not work out and I apologised to Alex and put my hands up.
“I gave it a shot. In my mind, I was trying to catch Max. I have got a penalty and I totally accept it.
“It was not my intention and you hardly see me collide into people. I hindsight I could have waited.”
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