Sunday Debrief: Verstappen dominates in Brazil as Mercedes’ weekend goes from bad to worse

Verstappen dominated this weekend in Brazil, winning both the sprint and Sunday’s race. Lando crossed the line to finish on the podium once again this season.

Saturdays Sprint:

SQ1 was cut short after Esteban Ocon went into the barriers after making contact with Fernando Alonso, sending his Alpine into the barrier with 33seconds left of the first session. Alonso returned to the pits with a puncture but was still able to move into the next session. As the flag was waved at the end of SQ3 it was Lando who took pole for the sprint, his first sprint pole position.

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Going into turn 1 of the race, Verstappen made his way past the McLaren on the front row, Russell making the move behind on Perez for P3, before making the move on Norris for P2 on lap 1. By Lap 10, Perez had made his way back ahead of the Mercedes, moving the Bull back into P3, after Russell conceded a place to Norris a few laps earlier.

Mercedes not enjoying the race, as Hamilton dropped 2 seconds a lap from the race leader on lap 20. Mercedes under pressure as on lap 21, the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc breezed past the Mercedes, before Tsunoda began to threat in the fight for P6. Tsunoda eventually taking the place on lap 22 with the help of DRS on the start finish straight, his teammate making a move on Piastri moving up to P9 at the same part of the track.

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As they crossed the line it was Verstappen first to take the chequered flag, followed by Norris and Perez. A much-needed P3 finish for Perez after rumours begin to fly over his future with the team.

Sundays Race:

With 4 minutes left of Q3, the red flag was brought out after sudden extreme weather. With the session not to resume, it was Verstappen who took pole for the race, followed by Leclerc and the two Aston Martins occupying the second row, and the two Mercedes on the third row. Russell qualifying for P6 but dropping down to P8 after a 2 place grid penalty issued after the session for driving slowly in the pit exit and not staying left.

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An unfortunate start for Leclerc, who was unable to make it past the formation lap, with his Ferrari going into the barriers. Leclerc was not the only driver to not make it past the first lap, as the yellow flag came out at the start of Lap 1, after a collision with Magnussen and Albon, which sent both drivers off the track. The red flag was waved on lap 3, as the steward worked quick to get the cars off track and repair the barriers.

At the restart it was a standing start, with Piastri and Ricciardo starting from the pit lane, the pair would make no recovery in the race finishing in P14 and P13 respectively after 6 retirements out of the race. Verstappen had a good get away at the restart with Norris following behind him. Mercedes not recovering well after yesterday’s sprint disaster, Alonso being quick to get past Hamilton in the first few corners, moving down into P4. By Lap 18 Perez had made his way up the grid after qualifying P9, now battling Hamilton for P4. Perez winning the battel with his sights set on Alonso.

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Mercedes struggling on pace, brought Hamilton into the pits on lap 19, followed by Russell on lap 20. Mercedes not recovering in the race, with Sainz sliding past both Mercedes on Lap 35 and Lap 37. Russell was ordered by the team to ‘retire’ his car on lap 39, with power unit issued that worried the team, meanwhile, Hamilton struggling on pace conceded another place to Gasly on lap 49 putting him down in P9.

Both Alpha Romeos retired out of the race, Zhou’s race ending on lap 22, and Bottas on lap 41

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After a fairly disappointing race and 6 retirements, the battle continued to the very end. With Alonso and Perez bringing the fire in the final 2 laps. Perez desperate for a podium finish to prove himself to the team, took the place from Alonso on lap 70, Alonso not letting it go was quick to take the place back on the final lap. The pair fighting to the end in a drag race that would see Alonso take the final podium spot by the smallest fraction. Ahead of Alonso on the podium it was Verstappen who won 8 seconds ahead of Norris.