The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who had already secured the world championship title, confidently won his 17th place on Sunday.e Grand Prix of the season, that of Brazil.
He beat the British Lando Norris (McLaren). The two-time Spanish world champion Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) came third, just ahead of the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), fourth, just 53 thousandths behind Alonso.
As second, without having managed to keep up with “Mad Max”, Norris still has to wait for his first success in the premier class. The Brit was actually the interim leader, but only because Verstappen had stopped in the pits before doing the same.
In Brazil, the McLaren driver recorded his 13th podium place without a win, equaling the record set by German Nick Heidfeld.
“To be honest, I couldn’t have done better,” Norris responded at the end of this 20th round (of 22) of the season. I got off to a good start and moved from sixth to second, which was a nice surprise.”
After Verstappen has already been awarded titles among the drivers – and Red Bull among the designers – the fight for the places of honor continues.
Looking for his first F1 runner-up title, Pérez (Red Bull), second in the championship ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), gave himself some breathing room against the seven-time world champion, who was only eighth.
The day before, Pérez had already managed to gain the upper hand over his British rival in the sprint race.
The Red Bull driver arrives in Brazil 20 lengths ahead of his rival and leaves the race 32 points ahead of Hamilton – but certainly with the regret of not having been on the podium.
And for good reason, the Mexican narrowly missed out on third place.
“I had pressure from Pérez for 30 laps,” admitted the Spaniard from Aston Martin, who is fourth on the grid. When he overtook me two laps from the finish, I thought the podium was no longer possible.”
At the height of the battle to the checkered flag, Alonso – who had been so successful at the start of the season – secured his first podium finish since the Dutch GP at the end of August.
A long pause
In Sao Paulo, the spectacle continued as promised from the start of the race, as the GP was neutralized and then interrupted shortly after the start due to an accident involving several riders.
Thailand’s Alexander Albon’s Williams came into contact with German Nico Hülkenberg’s Haas before colliding with Dane Kevin Magnussen’s other Haas.
If Hülkenberg stayed on the track, Albon and Magnussen would go off the track and severely damage their car. The two drivers had to retire uninjured.
Time to clean and secure the track, half an hour later the race resumed in the order established at the time of the interruption: Verstappen in front of Norris, author of a cannon start. At the restart nobody saw the two strong men of the day again.
Charles Leclerc, who was expected at the front line alongside the Dutchman, had to throw in the towel before the lights went out. The Monegasque driver went off the track on the formation lap due to a mechanical problem with his Ferrari.