Max Verstappen wins chaotic wet Brazil GP; Alpine claim double podium
Verstappen triumphs in chaotic Sao Paulo GP, Alpine shocks with double podium
SAO PAULO -- Max Verstappen showcased his racing prowess with a stunning victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, overcoming a formidable starting position of P17. This marked his first triumph since June, as he battled through a tumultuous race characterized by changing weather and high drama. Meanwhile, Alpine surprised the grid by securing an unexpected double podium finish.
The race was shrouded in confusion even before it officially started, as Lance Stroll spun off during the formation lap. This incident led to an aborted start, with pole-sitter Lando Norris leading several cars away while others remained on the grid. Consequently, Norris, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson are under investigation for a possible start procedure infringement.
As the Grand Prix commenced, Russell took the lead from Norris, while Verstappen methodically worked his way through the field. The dynamic weather added further intrigue, culminating in a red flag on Lap 32 due to Franco Colapinto's crash in the Williams. This came shortly after Russell and Norris pitted at an unfortunate moment, just as a Virtual Safety Car period ended.
When racing resumed, Esteban Ocon was in the lead, with Verstappen and Pierre Gasly trailing. Following another restart due to Carlos Sainz's crash, Verstappen's charge proved unstoppable as he seized the lead and maintained a commanding advantage, eventually winning with a 19.477-second gap to second place.
Alpine had a day to remember, with Ocon and Gasly finishing second and third, propelling the team from ninth to sixth in the constructors' standings. Russell claimed fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Norris, who had initially shown promise, had to settle for sixth, losing crucial ground to Verstappen in the championship race.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri crossed the line in seventh, but a 10-second penalty for colliding with Lawson demoted him to eighth. Tsunoda benefitted, moving up to seventh, adding to Red Bull's satisfaction as Lawson secured ninth. Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top ten, fending off Sergio Perez's late charge to secure the final point for Mercedes, leaving Perez in P11.
Ollie Bearman finished 12th for Haas despite a challenging race marked by off-track excursions and a penalty for a collision with Colapinto. Valtteri Bottas took 13th for Kick Sauber, ahead of final classified finishers Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Zhou Guanyu, also of Kick Sauber.
The race saw its share of retirements as well, with Sainz and Colapinto crashing out and Nico Hulkenberg receiving a black flag for receiving outside assistance after an off-track excursion. Stroll did not start following his earlier formation lap spin, and Alex Albon was unable to compete due to insufficient time to repair his Williams after a qualifying crash.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix delivered an unforgettable spectacle, cementing Verstappen's dominance while highlighting the unpredictability and excitement of Formula 1 racing.
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