The single-seaters heat up the starting grid di Interlagos, twentieth stage of the season if we do not consider Imola. The iconic Sao Paulo route - fresh from renovation - sees the three-time champion triumph for the umpteenth time of Red Bull. Max Verstappen he was not satisfied with the success in sprinting, also taking home the Brazil match ahead of Norris and Alonso.
Leclerc hits the wall before the start!
Soft rubber for everyone except for Sargeant at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Immediate plot twist: Leclerc hit the wall on the formation lap. The Monegasque is very unlucky, victim of a plumbing problem which caused the SF-23 to spin. The Ferrari driver had hopes for a good result given the second row in the Saturday qualifying. The accident occurred where last year the 16th went out after contact with Norris. Crazy start by Norris and Hamilton. The two Englishmen sucked in the Aston Martins, protagonists of a slow start.
Bang also for Magnussen and Albon at the start. The Thai hit Hulkenberg and then collided with the Dane from Haas. Retreat for both. So much anger for Magnussen, immediately out after the bang in Mexico last weekend. The result: safety car and then red flag. We will start again from a standstill. Suspense for the wait before leaving again: Ricciardo and Piastri's mechanics are racing against time to repair their respective cars. Mission successful for both teams.
The restart after the red flag
All smooth this time. Alonso made amends, retaking third position from Hamilton after a flying start. Lando Norris was very fast straight away. The Englishman tried on grid number 1 in turn 4, only to then fall behind the pace of the RB19. Tension for Russell, put under pressure by Perez for fifth position. Excellent work by Tsunoda, who in the space of 13 laps moved into the points starting from sixteenth. In the meantime there is the overtaking by Perez in turn 1, with Russell complaining about Hamilton's lack of drs, useful for defending against the Mexican. Sainz struggles with the soft tires at the back, Stroll's pace doesn't allow the Spaniard to try to overtake.
Perez's comeback continues also overtakes Hamilton's Mercedes taking him just off the podium. However, there is a counter-overtaking in the pits: the undercut of number 44 worked, and Perez is forced to regain position. The Mexican was not long in coming and overtook the seven-time world champion on lap 23. In the meantime, Zhou had to retire. Mercedes' pace collapses: Stroll stripped Russell on the straight even before braking. Ferrari is reborn after the pit stop, with yellow rubber the SF-23 is significantly more at ease.
The rebirth of the SF-23 and the Mercedes massacre
Sainz's pace on the yellow tire is much better. The Spaniard runs on the times of Verstappen and Norris. Mercedes are the ones threatened by the red team: number 55 he snatched seventh place from Russell, and then overtook Hamilton two laps later in Turn 4. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo was unlucky, with Bottas taking his car to the pits imitating his teammate. Ferrari's reliability will look bad this weekend. The Mercedes agony doesn't stop: also Gasly and Tsunoda overtake Russell. Gasly doesn't stop, who also overtakes Hamilton for eighth position.
Sensational at Mercedes. After the decline in race pace, George Russell is called to the pits to collect the car. The reason concerns a concern for the reliability of the power unit. Brawl between Perez and Alonso for the podium. The Mexican overtakes the Spaniard, who regains his position on the last lap with a move to the limit in turn 4. The arrival is at the photo finish with Alonso keeps Perez behind, or rather alongside, by 53 thousandths.
The arrival at the finish line in Interlagos
Max Verstappen always triumphs. Behind the Dutchman there is a great Lando Norris, thanks to a McLaren that is decidedly on the bubble. Closing out the podium is Alonso, which works a miracle on Perez in the final stages. Stroll he finishes fifth ahead of Sainz and Gasly. Hamilton before tsunoda, while Or with seals the top 10. Sergeant comes close to the points zone in front of Hulkenberg. Ricciardo e Piastres close the ranking. Six have withdrawn, four of which due to reliability.
