Max wins. Leclerc doesn’t start. The Brazil Grand Prix doesn’t disappoint!

Lights Out

In a (un)expected twist that's become all too familiar for the Ferrari camp, Leclerc's Prancing Horse couldn't even trot down to the starting line, succumbing to an engine failure. The Ferrari boys always seem to be low on luck and strategy.

When we thought we were off to the races, the red flags waved almost as quickly as the starting lights went out. Alex Albon and Kevin Magnussen got too close for comfort, resulting in a tangle that brought the race to a screeching halt. After the debris was cleared, the restart saw a mix-and-match of strategies with the pit wall and the crowd on the edge of their seats. Verstappen, the man in form, stuck to his guns with soft tires, while Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton opted for fresh rubber. This set the stage for a battle in the race's later stages. 

Track Tactics

As the Sao Paulo Grand Prix unfolded, the teams were knee-deep in their strategic playbooks, trying to outmaneuver each other. Verstappen, leading the pack, was pursued by an adamant Norris to maintain the 1-2 while keeping the pressure dialed up. Meanwhile, the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri was locked in his duel with Daniel Ricciardo. With every turn, they were writing their tales of grit on the grid...a whole lap behind the leading cars! 

But the drama wasn’t only at the two ends of the pack. The midfield saw a lot of action as the lone Ferrari of Carlos Sainz closed in on the Mercedes pair. Making sure the midfield was anything but mellow, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Yuki Tsunoda were also tangled in a battle, eager to win pride and points for their teams. 

Chequered Flag

Verstappen made a strategic second pit stop in the closing stages, opting for the soft tires, giving Norris the temporary lead. But the charging Red Bull’s pace ensured he reclaimed his position at the front. 

An intense battle for the final podium position was also unfolding between Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso. With only a handful of laps remaining, Perez relentlessly pursued Alonso, going all the way to the very last lap! Ultimately, Alonso snatched the last step of the podium, the Perez falling short by less than one-tenth of a second!

The disaster was on the cards for George Russell, who was forced to retire due to an oil temperature issue. Woe followed the Alfa Romeos, too, as Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu did not finish due to technical problems.

The checkered flag saw Verstappen clinching his 17th win of the season, Norris securing a commendable second place, and Alonso taking third with Perez hot on his heels. Lance Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Tsunoda, and Ocon claimed points as the top 10 finishers.