Winners and Losers of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Race
In a thrilling weekend at the Interlagos circuit, the São Paulo Grand Prix delivered nail-biting action, close racing, and a few mishaps, including a red flag. The grand finale saw a terrific battle for third place between Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez, creating a captivating Latin showdown.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen continued his impressive season with a 17th victory, finishing comfortably ahead of Lando Norris. Starting from sixth on the grid, Verstappen was kept on his toes by Norris but maintained his lead in a race characterized by tire management. "The starts were crucial today. Both were excellent. The whole race was about managing the tires," an elated Verstappen shared after the race.
Aston Martin enjoyed a successful weekend, with veteran Fernando Alonso delivering a masterclass in defensive driving to secure third place for the team. In a heart-stopping finish, Alonso beat Perez by a mere 0.053 seconds in a drag race to the line. The 42-year-old's resilience and determination were evident, as he willingly embraced the challenge, saying, "We will always keep fighting until the last lap, the last corner."
Meanwhile, Lando Norris impressed with his consistent performance. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Max Verstappen acknowledged his speed, describing his attempts to contend with the RB19 as a challenge for the Dutch driver. The team walked away with 27 valuable points from the weekend.
The weekend, however, proved to be challenging for Mercedes. After competing for podium finishes in the preceding races, the Brackley-based team struggled in Brazil. George Russell retired from the race, while Lewis Hamilton finished eighth. "There are moments the car works and then moments it doesn't. We have to figure out what's causing this inconsistency," Lewis Hamilton commented.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also encountered misfortune. Having qualified on the front row for the Grand Prix, his car's hydraulics failed on the formation lap, causing a crash into the barriers and ending his race. Disappointed with his bad luck, Leclerc exclaimed, "Why is this always happening to me?"
With the dust settling on the São Paulo Grand Prix, the drivers now have a week's break before the eagerly anticipated Las Vegas GP takes place on the 19th of November.
Sports and racing continued to captivate the crowd as the weekend's racing action unfolded in the world of Formula One. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso showcased his prowess in defensive driving, fighting a nail-biting drag race against Sergio Perez in a sports-infused battle for third place.
