By Ben Langley
Lando Norris took victory in a scintillating Sao Paulo Grand Prix to extend his championship lead to 24 points. Kimi Antonelli took second for the rookie’s best-ever finish, whilst Max Verstappen recovered from a pit lane start to finish third in a sublime drive by the world champion.
George Russell held onto fourth ahead of Piastri, who suffered a 10-second time penalty for a collision with Antonelli and Charles Leclerc. Oliver Bearman continued his fine form with a sixth-place finish. The Racing Bulls pair of Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar took seventh and eighth respectively. Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly completed the points positions.
The race began in chaotic fashion as home hero Gabriel Bortoleto ended up in the barrier on the opening lap after being squeezed by Lance Stroll. Another Brazilian favourite Lewis Hamilton also suffered first lap damage, losing his front wing trying to pass Franco Colapinto. Hamilton was later forced to retire.
The safety car restart instigated further drama but this time at the front. Antonelli, Leclerc and Piastri were side-by-side into Turn 1. Piastri locked his brakes and collided with Antonelli who subsequently took out the Ferrari of Leclerc. The Monegasque lost his front left tyre and was forced to retire. Antonelli escaped damage with Piastri given a 10-second penalty.
Verstappen suffered a puncture amidst the chaos and fell to last but made swift progress through the field.
The frontrunners were forced into two-stop strategies, with Verstappen on a 3-stopper due to his early puncture. After the first round of pitstops Verstappen was ahead of Norris, but the McLaren driver passed the Dutchman a few laps later.
As Verstappen pitted for a second time, Norris pulled a gap on Antonelli and Russell behind. However, the pace of the Red Bull was clear as Verstappen was around eight seconds clear of Norris after the McLaren’s second and final pit stop. However, Verstappen couldn’t get his tyres to the end and so the team opted for a late charge at the Mercedes pair in the closing stages.
Verstappen overtook Russell with a terrific move at Turn 1 before closing up to Antonelli in the final few laps. However, the Italian showed great skill to hold off Verstappen in what was the rookie’s best performance of the season.
Norris took the win ahead of Antonelli and Verstappen. Russell just held on for fourth ahead of Piastri as the Australian’s poor run of form continued. Further down the field, a mere three seconds separated the drivers from Lawson in seventh all the way down to Fernando Alonso in fourteenth. Gasly secured Alpine’s first points in nine races after finishing tenth.
Norris extends his championship lead over Piastri to 24 points with only three race weekends remaining. Verstappen’s championship chances are now looking slim as he sits 49 points behind Norris.
Formula 1 returns in two weeks-time around the streets of Las Vegas.
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