Brazilian Grand Prix LIVE: F1 race result and reaction as Lewis Hamilton beats Max Verstappen
Follow all the fallout from the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace
Lewis Hamilton has won the Brazilian Grand Prix, climbing from 10th place to overtake Max Verstappen and narrow the gap to his Formula 1 title rival to 14 points.
Hamilton was excluded from qualifying in Sao Paulo and demoted to the back of Saturday’s sprint race after his Mercedes fell foul of the technical regulations and his pole lap at Interlagos was chalked off. The Briton performed impressively to finish fifth in the sprint, but he also served a five-place grid penalty for using his fifth power unit of the season – when only three are permitted.
But the defending champion surged from 10th on the grid up to second at the Brazilian GP on Sunday, before engaging in a thrilling battle with championship leader Verstappen. Hamilton’s first attempt to overtake the Red Bull driver saw the Dutchman force the seven-time title-winner off the track, but Hamilton got past Verstappen on Lap 59 of 71. Hamilton then retained the lead to win in Sao Paulo, narrowing the gap to Verstappen with three races left this year. Verstappen finished second, while Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas – who had started on pole – rounded out the podium.
Re-live all the action and follow all the fallout from the Brazilian Grand Prix:
Brazilian GP – Lap 6
Six laps in, and we have a Red Bull one-two out in front, then the Mercedes duo, then the Ferrari pair.
1. Verstappen
2. Perez
3. Hamilton
4. Boottas
5. Leclerc
6. Sainz
Vettel is then in seventh.
Brazilian GP – Lap 4
Hamilton clears both Ferraris and is up into third. A fantastic start for the defending champion in what might end up a being a must-win grand prix for the Mercedes man.
Brazilian GP – Lap 1
Norris clashes with a Ferrari almost at once and receives a puncture! He’ll have to complete the first lap with that working against him!
Meanwhile, Verstappen squeezes out Bottas on Turn 2! The Mercedes driver then goes wide and we have a Red Bull one-two as Perez is second!
Hamilton up to seventh...
Brazilian GP
Lando Norris insists he will not attempt to hold up Lewis Hamilton during the Brazilian Grand Prix today.
Hamilton will start 10th in Sao Paulo after serving a five-place grid penalty following Saturday’s Sprint race, in which he battled from the back of the grid to fifth in a supreme drive over 24 laps.
The Mercedes driver had been sent to the back of the field after he was disqualified from Friday’s qualifying due to an infringement of DRS regulations, which came as a further blow to his hopes of catching title rival Max Verstappen after he was handed the five-place grid penalty for a change of engine.
But after Hamilton overtook Norris with relative ease up the inside of the long pit straight, the 22-year-old said he does not expect to put up much of a fight in defending against the seven-time world champion.
Here’s what Norris had to say:
Lando Norris reveals why he will not hold up Lewis Hamilton’s Brazilian GP charge
The McLaren driver will be in Hamilton’s sights as he tries to move his way through the field in Sao Paulo
Brazilian GP
Lewis Hamilton was told “f*** them all” over his radio by Toto Wolff after a sublime drive launched him from last to fifth in Saturday’s sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes team principal praised the seven-time world champion’s effort with his resilience limiting the advantage handed to title rival Max Verstappen - who will be begin today’s race second on the grid.
Hamilton's drive follows a dramatic build-up to the race with the Briton excluded from qualifying and demoted to the back after his car failed to meet technical regulations, with his pole lap at Interlagos wiped out.
“Lewis, brilliant job, damage limitation. F*** them all.”
Hamilton replied: “Copy. It’s not over yet.”
Full story here:
‘F*** them all!’: Lewis Hamilton praised by Toto Wolff for ‘damage limitation’
The Briton rallied after being excluded from qualifying and demoted to the back after his Mercedes failed to meet technical regulations
Brazilian GP
Lewis Hamilton’s championship hopes were dealt a major setback on Saturday – despite a brilliant drive from last to fifth in the sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hamilton was excluded from qualifying and demoted to the back after his Mercedes fell foul of the technical regulations and his pole lap at Interlagos was chalked off.
Hamilton’s punishment promoted Max Verstappen to the front of the grid but Valtteri Bottas beat the Red Bull man off the line to win the 24-lap dash and claim pole position for today’s Grand Prix.
Verstappen finished runner-up to claim two points and extend his lead from 19 to 21 points. Carlos Sainz took third for Ferrari.
Full sprint race report here:
Lewis Hamilton’s championship hopes dealt blow despite fine sprint race effort
Valtteri Bottas won the 24-lap dash and claimed pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies