He was aiming for, at best, seventh place. False humility or a fortunate set of circumstances, the fact remains that Max Verstappen finished third at the Brazilian GP in Formula 1. The Dutchman left the pits anyway, after a poor qualifying session and an engine change.
But in Sunday’s important race, marked by safety cars and race stoppages, the four-time world champion took the podium. He certainly benefited from the first safety car, which on the first lap was caused by a fresh crash for Gabriel Bortoleto, who was not yet ready for his first Grand Prix on home soil.
Leclerc was forced to leave him
On the restart, Oscar Piastri collided with Kimi Antonelli, who hit Charles Leclerc with the rebound and forced him to retire. Second hard blow for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton already lost his front wing in the first lap.
Hence the new safety car, and the opportunity for Verstappen to change his tires for the first time due to an old puncture. Starting from the start, the Red Bull driver was able to carry out chain overtakes, taking advantage of pit stops and gradually gaining points, then moved up to 4th position.
A convenient lead for Norris
The moment was chosen for another pit stop, with the aim of finishing the race on new medium tyres. He seemed to start well and was even first for a while, under pressure from Lando Norris. It was difficult to maintain for the Red Bull driver who had to return to the pits for the third time to come out in 4th position.
This time it was right and after an outside pass from Russell and excellent defending from Antonelli, the Dutchman was on the podium, in third place. He dropped another 10 points to Norris, a calm winner who never flinched but saved the furniture.
“It was a very solid race,” said the Dutch racer. I was in the fight for second place, it all started from the pitlane, it was a good day. We will try to win every remaining race, but I think we have lost the title for a long time. »
With three GPs remaining, the McLaren driver is 24 points ahead of Piastri and 49 points ahead of Verstappen. Barely a race or two ahead, and a clear path to his first world title. Unless, of course, there is an unlikely turnaround.
Fierce fighting between the French
Left behind, it was a fierce battle for 71 laps for seventh place. Isack Hadjar, who started from 5th position and is a new podium candidate, paid for his ill-thought-out strategy and canceled almost the entire race alongside Pierre Gasly. The Alpine rider tried everything to overtake his young compatriot, but never succeeded.
Both remain ahead on points, amidst a very tight peloton. Oliver Bearman, in impressive form, finished 6th, ahead of Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Nico Hülkenberg, a late race opportunist, and Pierre Gasly. Esteban Ocon, who started from the stands, finished 12th.
