Formula 1 Drivers Unite in Brazil to Honor Ayrton Senna

Sao Paulo Grand Prix Paddock Buzz, Reported by Stewart Bell

Max Verstappen, the current three-time F1 World Champion, moved closer to securing a fourth title in Brazil on Sunday. The Dutch driver described his victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix at a rain-soaked Interlagos, where he started from 17th on the grid, as "absolutely crazy."

The star of São Paulo's "super Sunday" was undeniably the Dutch driver, who dominated both the qualifying and the race after Saturday's events were canceled due to heavy rain. As he approaches the last three races of 2024, which will be held consecutively, he holds a nearly insurmountable lead of 62 points. With only 86 points still up for grabs, his main competitor, McLaren's Lando Norris, appears to be losing his grip on the title, having finished in sixth place in Brazil and not showing the form of a World Champion.

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"I was extremely frustrated with the qualifying session," Verstappen admitted. He was referring to his elimination in Q2 after race officials were slow to issue a red flag following Lance Stroll's late-session crash at turn three in his Aston Martin, leaving insufficient time to resume the session.

"Indeed, we aimed to use it as a positive drive during the race, and fortunately, we began with an excellent start. From that point, everything felt great in the car. We made all the correct decisions once more. We remained composed and performed well when required. I'm overjoyed. Honestly, it feels unbelievable. I never imagined moving from 17th place to first. I was hoping for a decent amount of points, but this result is truly astonishing."

Sunday proved to be an unusual day for everyone involved, including the fans who had already gathered at the track's entrance by 5:30 a.m., with qualifying set to begin just two hours after. The unexpected events persisted until the final lap, as both Alpine cars secured podium finishes for the first time in the brand's history, marking Enstone's first double podium since the Korea race in 2013.

Esteban Ocon recounted the early start to his day, with the alarm going off at 4:30 a.m., unaware of the eventful day that lay ahead. Ocon secured a second-place finish, just ahead of his teammate, Pierre Gasly, who marked his 150th race in Formula 1.

"The qualifying session was remarkable. Today, we found ourselves leading the race, a position we haven't reached beyond 10th or 9th place this year. It was amazing to be competitive. After spending so much time battling in the middle of the pack, you start to wonder when your moment will arrive. Today's performance clearly demonstrates that if everyone had identical cars, we could compete at the front."

The atmosphere in the paddock was buzzing with excitement about returning to Brazil. It wasn't just because this race concluded a series of three back-to-back events. Numerous team gatherings were planned at various churrascarias, or steakhouses, throughout the city, with 'Fogo de Chão' being the most famous among them.

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The drivers gathered to play padel, with Alex Albon, Oscar Piastri, and Esteban Ocon among the participants, while also honoring the memory of the legendary three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna, as 2024 marks three decades since his death.

Sebastian Vettel, who has won the F1 World Championship four times, arrived to participate in the celebration, carrying with him a large helmet dedicated to Senna. This helmet, crafted from recycled materials, features images of the Brazilian icon inside.

Vettel expressed his thoughts on the significance of Interlagos, emphasizing the ongoing narrative of Ayrton Senna. He admired Senna’s bravery in voicing his beliefs and his deep compassion, which inspired him to create something enduring. As part of this tribute, Vettel participated in the "Waste Picker Challenge," a Forever Senna initiative, by gathering litter around Interlagos.

"When I first considered the idea, it struck me as either a sculpture or an installation. To bring this vision to life, we collaborated with Brazilian artist Mundano and German artist Matthias Garff. Ultimately, we chose to focus on the helmet, as it serves as a powerful symbol for identifying a driver and is perhaps the most personal piece of equipment a driver owns."

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion for Mercedes, was among several drivers who visited the enormous, artfully designed helmet located at the renowned Senna S curve. However, the British driver had a unique opportunity to honor his hero by taking the wheel of Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/5B, the car that secured the Brazilian's 1990 World Championship title. The sold-out audience, totaling 291,717 attendees over the weekend, was thrilled by the tribute, as Senna remains a cherished figure in Brazil.

The paddock was filled with legendary figures from the world of Formula 1, featuring the likes of former chief Bernie Ecclestone, three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet, and two-time World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Fittipaldi was celebrating the 50th anniversary of his last Brazilian Grand Prix victory, which helped secure McLaren's first championship double and his second drivers' title. Also present was Felipe Massa, who appeared on social media beaming alongside the sport's president and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, at a local gathering. Additionally, Jos Verstappen made an appearance at his first F1 race since the Dutch Grand Prix in August.

The experienced Dutchman openly spoke with journalists, initially targeting FIA driver steward Johnny Herbert for his negative comments about his son Max's racing strategies in Austin and Mexico City. He also praised RB substitute Liam Lawson, stating that Lawson was performing exceptionally and seemed prepared for a promotion to Red Bull's main team.

Jos Verstappen expressed no objections to the suggestion of Lawson taking over Sergio Pérez's spot as the current Red Bull driver. "Having someone who can compete and challenge Max would be beneficial," he stated. "It provides a push forward, but we'll have to wait and see what happens."

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Martin Brundle comments that Lando Norris may be missing the fierce determination needed as his F1 championship hopes waver. "At times, it seems he might not have the same ruthless edge when competing against Max, who is known for his aggressive racing style."

Martin Brundle, a commentator for Sky Sports F1, thinks that Lando Norris will gain significant knowledge from his attempt to win the world championship this year.

By securing sixth place in the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Norris has set the stage for Max Verstappen to potentially clinch the championship at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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Beginning the race from pole position at Interlagos, Norris was overtaken by George Russell going into the first turn.

The introduction of the Safety Car and the red flag had an unfortunate impact on Norris's position, causing him to fall to fourth place. Subsequently, two errors led to him slipping further down the ranks to sixth, allowing both Russell and Charles Leclerc to overtake him.

In evaluating Norris' pursuit of the championship, Brundle explained to Sky Sports News that it's all about enhancing every aspect of his performance at his current level. He has achieved some remarkable wins, particularly in Zandvoort and Singapore, where he dominated in a manner reminiscent of Max.

"He doesn't yet have the experience of competing for a world title, which presents an entirely different set of challenges and guidelines. This is something he will come to understand throughout this year."

"There are moments when you question whether he has the aggressive edge needed to compete with Max, who is known for being quite fierce in competition."

"However, I believe Lando will gain significant insights from this season, especially since Max's victories in seven out of the first ten races essentially made him unbeatable."

Before the grand prix, Brazil seemed poised to become the pivotal moment in the championship that Norris had been hoping for.

He was scheduled to start from the first position, while Verstappen was positioned 17th due to an engine-related penalty.

Nonetheless, it did not come to fruition as Verstappen is almost guaranteed to secure his fourth drivers' championship.

He explained that for Lando to close the gap with Max, he would have to consistently earn significantly more points in each race. Additionally, he would need to rely on other drivers, like Max's teammate and a few Ferraris or even a couple of Mercedes, to finish between them.

"However, with a single shift in momentum, as seen in Brazil, that brief adventure largely concluded, unless some unusual events unfold in the remaining races."

Connor, with a keen awareness of the controversies and narratives within Formula 1, serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Martin Brundle has expressed concerns that Lando Norris may not possess the aggressive edge required for a Formula 1 championship, as his title pursuit appears to be stumbling. Brundle speculates whether Norris is missing the fierce determination needed to compete with Max, who is known for his ruthless racing style.

Martin Brundle, a commentator for Sky Sports F1, thinks that Lando Norris will gain significant insights while chasing this year's world championship title.

Lando Norris secured a sixth-place finish at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, positioning Max Verstappen to potentially clinch the championship at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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Beginning the race from the pole position at Interlagos, Norris was overtaken by George Russell at the first corner.

The introduction of the Safety Car and the red flag negatively impacted Norris, causing him to slip to fourth position. Subsequently, two errors resulted in him falling further to sixth place, allowing Russell and Charles Leclerc to overtake him.

Analyzing Norris' attempt at the championship, Brundle mentioned to Sky Sports News: "It's about enhancing every aspect at the level he's competing in. He's achieved some incredible wins, notably in Zandvoort and Singapore, where he dominated the races, reminiscent of Max's style."

"He doesn't have the experience of competing for a world championship, which I believe introduces a completely different set of challenges and guidelines. This year will be a learning opportunity for him in that regard."

"At times, you might question whether he possesses the aggressive drive needed when facing Max, who is known for being quite fierce in competition."

"Lando is likely to gain significant insights from this season, especially since Max's victory in seven of the first ten races made it difficult for anyone to catch up with him."

Before the grand prix, Brazil seemed like it could be the pivotal moment in the championship for Norris.

He was scheduled to start from the front position on the grid, while Verstappen was positioned in 17th place due to a penalty related to his engine.

Nonetheless, it did not come to fruition as Verstappen is almost guaranteed his fourth drivers' championship.

The speaker explained that for Lando to catch up to Max, he would have to consistently gain a significant number of points in each race. Additionally, he would need to rely on Max’s teammate, a couple of Ferraris, and possibly a few Mercedes cars to finish between them.

"However, with a single change of events, such as what occurred in Brazil, that adventure mostly came to an end unless something unusual unfolds in the remaining races."

With a keen awareness of the controversies and narratives in F1, Connor serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Red Bull plans to "examine the details" following Sergio Perez's ongoing challenges at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Christian Horner shared his perspective on Perez's tough experience during the race.

Christian Horner has stated that Red Bull plans to "examine the details" when evaluating Sergio Perez's performance after a challenging Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Formula 1.

Perez faced a challenging weekend in Brazil, ending the race without scoring any points.

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The racer from Mexico crossed the finish line 51 seconds after Max Verstappen, who secured victory in the Sao Paulo race after starting in 17th position.

Evaluating Perez's performance, Horner shared with reporters in Brazil: "It was a challenging race for Checo, as an early spin caused him to fall behind."

"Today presented a chance for us to make significant gains against both Ferrari and McLaren in the Constructors' standings."

"Regrettably, we haven't been able to take advantage of the situation, which is understandably disappointing."

"We will review the situation, and with any luck, return to Las Vegas ready to put up a strong fight."

Horner was puzzled as to why Perez had difficulty advancing in the race following a spin on the first lap, which caused him to fall to the last position on the grid.

Horner stated that he hadn't been present during the debriefing session and hadn't listened to the driver's remarks. However, he noted that he didn't see anything unusual during the race.

"In my opinion, life's experiences are open to interpretation, and it's important to consider the evidence."

"We're putting in a lot of effort with Checo, who had a chassis replaced for this weekend. I felt he performed well in the race yesterday, but today just didn't go his way."

The future of Perez remains a topic of discussion.

Liam Lawson stood out, especially during the dry weather conditions over the weekend in Brazil, while there have been reports connecting Red Bull with Franco Colapinto.

Christian Horner stated, "Sergio Perez remains our driver." He further praised Liam Lawson, saying, "Liam Lawson performed exceptionally well today, as did Yuki Tsunoda. Liam's performance is especially commendable given his level of experience."

"Franco is also a talented individual. Naturally, you continually monitor the market to see how things are progressing."

With a keen awareness of the controversies and narratives in Formula 1, Connor serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Flavio Briatore responds to Alpine's financial windfall from F1: “That was my initial question.” Flavio Briatore comments on Alpine's remarkable achievement of securing two podium positions at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the potential monetary benefits that may follow.

Flavio Briatore, an advisor for the Alpine team, disclosed that the initial question he posed was about the prize money the French team would receive after securing sixth place in the F1 constructors' championship in Brazil.

Alpine had a fantastic performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with both of their vehicles ending the race in podium positions.

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This marks the first occasion since 2013 that the team from Enstone has had both of its cars finish among the top three.

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly showcased exceptional skill in rainy conditions, securing positions just after Max Verstappen.

The outcome moved Alpine up from ninth place to sixth in the constructors' championship standings.

Alpine is at the forefront of the midfield group as they approach the last three races of the season, with each spot in the constructors' rankings holding considerable financial value in terms of prize money.

According to Sky Italy, Briatore, who took on the role of executive advisor for Alpine earlier this year, disclosed that the team will gain an additional 29.2 million by securing a sixth-place finish instead of ninth.

Briatore stated that the financial difference between finishing in ninth place and sixth place is not 30 million euros.

"It's 29.2 million! That's the first question I asked."

Briatore acknowledged that Alpine benefited from the favorable conditions, but he praised Ocon and Gasly for how well they performed.

"While acknowledging Ocon's impressive performance in the rain and Gasly's solid execution of his duties, we also benefited from a bit of luck."

"We believe our car performs better in rainy conditions. Sadly, I doubt that the upcoming races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi will have rainy weather."

"In the midst of all the buzz surrounding these emerging young drivers, it became clear just how valuable experience remains in Formula 1. Regardless, the race was absolutely spectacular."

Connor, known for his keen awareness of F1's dramas and narratives, serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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Fernando Alonso describes the "painful" experience during the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, saying, "The car's bouncing is unusual." He remarked, "They performed exceptionally well today, but my back is really sore. This level of bouncing isn't typical."

Fernando Alonso has revealed the reasons behind his decision to push through physical discomfort to complete the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Alonso ended up in a disappointing 14th place at Interlagos, with Aston Martin having a tough weekend.

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Aston Martin faced a tight deadline to prepare both of their vehicles for the upcoming Sunday grand prix following crashes by Alonso and Lance Stroll during the qualifying round.

Lance Stroll was unable to begin the race due to getting his Aston Martin stuck in the gravel during the formation lap.

During the race, Alonso faced challenges as he found himself positioned between the two Sauber cars on the circuit.

During a team radio communication, Alonso expressed his intention to "complete the race for the mechanics."

"I'm going to complete the race for the mechanics," he told his race engineer. "They performed excellently today. However, my back is in pain. This bouncing is unusual."

In his reflection on the race, Alonso mentioned, according to Autosport, "In the second half of the race, there was significant bouncing and porpoising."

"I'm not sure what the reason was, but the race was challenging. We didn't manage to finish in the point-scoring positions."

"In a different situation, I might have decided to quit. However, the mechanics worked tirelessly to get the car ready for the race, so I felt it was important to complete it for their sake."

He described the experience as undeniably difficult. Preparing for the race involved extensive effort on his part, including numerous evaluations, intense work, and consultations with physiotherapists and medical professionals to make it to Brazil.

"It required a significant amount of hard work from everyone, just like what the mechanics contributed today."

"The car ride was unpleasant. However, others are in more difficult situations, especially in Valencia where we see distressing scenes. People are facing hardships, so I felt compelled to push through a few laps for everyone facing challenges."

Connor is the driving force behind our fair and balanced reporting, thanks to his keen awareness of the controversies and narratives in Formula 1.

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Proposal to overhaul the functioning of F1 stewards gains significant support

Concept aimed at enhancing the consistency of decision-making receives strong endorsement

Martin Brundle has supported George Russell's appeal for significant reforms in the operation of F1 stewards.

Russell emphasized that for better consistency in their judgments, stewards should work as full-time professionals.

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The Mercedes racer, who holds a position as the director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, stated that instead of completely overhauling the racing rules following various notable disputes, they require minor tweaks.

Martin Brundle expressed to Sky Sports that it's evident in the high-stakes, multi-billion dollar realm of Formula 1, there ought to be a system in place where stewards and referees are compensated as professionals.

"The issue lies in the fact that we have 24 races and we travel around the globe without pause."

"Locating an individual or perhaps two teams willing to dedicate that amount of time?"

"It should be established with greater professionalism and consistency."

"It's a rapidly changing and risky industry. Overall, Race Control does an excellent job of overseeing it."

"There are numerous regulations to consider, including the International Sporting Code, the drivers' guidelines, and the sporting regulations. Additionally, there are directives not publicly shared and the Race Director's final instructions for each weekend, which are subject to change. Navigating this is quite complex."

"We aim to keep up with it in our discussions. However, it appears that a more consistent and well-compensated group of caretakers is necessary."

"I am not criticizing the stewards. It's a job I would never want because it's a thankless and difficult task."

"Each event or mishap often carries an unexpected element. Much like in any sport, there's usually a need for a referee's judgment or perspective at some point."

Brundle commented on other sports as well, asking, "Do they have flawless officiating systems? Is everything completely resolved?"

Formula 1 officials faced scrutiny after imposing penalties on Max Verstappen in both the United States and Mexico for incidents involving Lando Norris.

Johnny Herbert, a steward involved in the incident, publicly explained the situation, which upset both Verstappen and his father Jos. They wondered why stewards were making statements to the press.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a variety of sports including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Mercedes made the final decision on a crucial pit stop for George Russell, despite his initial thoughts. According to Russell, Shov intervened and overruled his engineer, instructing him to "pit." He emphasized that the team collaborates to make the best possible choices in the moment.

George Russell acknowledged that his decision to pit right before the red flag at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix was overturned.

Russell was at the forefront during the initial half of the race at Interlagos, having overtaken McLaren's Lando Norris to seize the lead.

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As the situation deteriorated, Russell and Norris decided to pit for new intermediate tires, which enabled Esteban Ocon to take the lead in the race, with Max Verstappen following behind him.

Due to low visibility, the Safety Car was initially brought onto the track, but a red flag was issued shortly after Franco Colapinto's accident.

This allowed Ocon, Verstappen, and Pierre Gasly to switch their tyres without any cost, gaining them a strategic advantage on the track.

Looking back at the choice to halt, Russell mentioned, according to Motorsport Week: "Indeed, it was quite distressing, taking everything into account."

"It was a 'box'. I told them to 'stay out'. Once more, it was 'box', and I reiterated, 'stay out'. Yet again, they said 'box'."

"As I mentioned, 'I prefer to keep my distance.' But when it comes to the final opportunity, you have to take the chance…"

"Occasionally, you need to rely on your instincts. The last time I did so, things turned out quite well."

"Reflecting on the race today, it's uncertain if victory was within our reach. However, had we chosen not to make a pit stop, we would have been in the lead during the restart and managed the pace for the initial 30 laps."

"With Lando trailing, our straight-line speed was impressive. Finishing at least in second place was the least we expected."

Russell disclosed that Andrew Shovlin, who is in charge of trackside engineering for Mercedes, overrode his engineer's decision and opted to make a pit stop for fresh tires as the weather deteriorated.

He mentioned that, from the viewpoint of a team, it’s not clear at all.

"From the pilot's perspective, it was obvious that either a red flag or a Safety Car would be necessary, as the driving conditions were impossible."

The rain showed no signs of letting up, and I noticed a large dark cloud looming overhead.

"After that, I had Shov step in to override my engineer and instruct me to pit. We're collaborating as a team to make the best possible decisions in the moment."

"The drivers who chose not to pit ended up securing the top three positions, while we ended up as the best among those who did make a pit stop. I find a bit of satisfaction in achieving that."

Connor, known for his keen insight into F1's debates and narratives, serves as the core of our impartial journalism.

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McLaren expresses confidence in their choice to bring Lando Norris into the pits shortly before a red flag disrupted the race, despite the impact it had on his performance.

McLaren stands by their choice regarding when they called Lando Norris into the pit during the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, expressing no remorse over their timing.

Lando Norris began the race from pole position, aiming to take advantage of his title competitor, Max Verstappen, who was starting from 17th place, in order to advance in the championship standings. However, the race didn't unfold as he had anticipated for the McLaren team member.

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At the beginning of the race, George Russell from Mercedes overtook the initial leader. Both drivers experienced setbacks when they opted to switch to new intermediate tires right as a Virtual Safety Car period concluded. A red flag shortly after compounded their difficulties, benefiting drivers like Verstappen, who hadn't yet pitted and could change tires without losing time.

Verstappen capitalized on the opportunity to secure an impressive comeback win, whereas Norris fell to sixth place by the time he crossed the finish line, which essentially dashed his diminishing chances of winning the title.

McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, mentioned to Viaplay that there are several aspects they need to investigate on their end.

"We must admit that we lost some positions due to the red flag, but we believed it was the correct decision to make a pit stop given the heavy rain. We have no regrets about that choice."

The pit stop was approached with caution. In the end, it benefited the vehicles trailing us that gambled by not pitting, and the red flag essentially restarted the race. There are lessons to be learned from this, but there are also some positive takeaways.

Stella commented: "When you begin the race in the lead, the expectation is naturally to maintain that position and win. However, the race was quite dramatic, and certain incidents didn't work out in our favor, resulting in us finishing well away from the top three. Nonetheless, we still managed to earn a decent number of points."

Remaining competitive in the race was crucial. When considering the constructors’ championship, it's vital that we achieve more points than Ferrari, which positions us well for the last phase of the season.

Norris commented that Verstappen benefited from a rule that is widely unpopular, and emphasized that it would have been unwise for him to remain on the track as conditions deteriorated.

Norris expressed to Sky Sports F1 that he believes in the team's words, and they have confidence in him.

"It was simply a matter of bad luck. I’m not concerned about looking back and analyzing it; it was fortunate for them, nothing else. Red Bull benefited from a regulation that nobody supports. While they might be on board with it now, all drivers have opposed it before."

"Although it worked out well for them today, it might have been advantageous for us if we had kept our distance, but that kind of thinking isn't very sensible. It was simply a case of bad luck today, nothing beyond that. Naturally, it's frustrating."

Lewis frequently travels worldwide to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He is often on-site to provide firsthand accounts, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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2024 F1 Sao Paulo GP Driver Evaluations: Two Competitors Achieve Flawless 10

Which drivers stood out during the 2024 F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend?

Max Verstappen – 10

Verstappen showcased his status as the leading driver in Formula 1 with an outstanding display at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Starting from 17th position, he achieved an extraordinary victory, executing daring overtakes during the race. It was a performance deserving of a champion.

Esteban Ocon – 10

Ocon delivered an outstanding performance in the rain. Twice, he managed to distance himself from Verstappen before eventually relinquishing the lead following the last Safety Car. While his teammate Gasly outperformed him in the sprint, Ocon was exceptional in the wet conditions.

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Pierre Gasly – 9.5

Despite a challenging qualifying session affected by the red flag, Gasly had an impressive weekend at Interlagos. He earned points in the sprint race and delivered a flawless performance in the Grand Prix, skillfully capitalizing on the red flag situation.

George Russell – 9

Considering the challenges posed by the W15 at Interlagos, Russell should be commended for his showing on Sunday. With a few changes in the situation, he might have clinched a victory in the race.

Charles Leclerc – 8

Throughout the race at Interlagos, both Leclerc and Ferrari seemed uneasy, whether the track was wet or dry. However, his daring move to pass both Russell and Norris during the final restart after the Safety Car was impressive, securing him a solid fifth place finish.

Lando Norris receives a score of 7. His performance in races such as the one in Brazil highlights that he's not yet prepared to clinch the championship title. Although he possesses remarkable natural speed, he often falters when the pressure is on, making significant errors. During this race, he surrendered the lead to Russell at the outset and veered off track on two occasions.

Yuki Tsunoda – 8.5

Yuki Tsunoda excelled in the rain, achieving his best-ever starting position by qualifying third. Although the red flag came at an inconvenient time after VCARB had changed to wet tires—a decision that was correct at the moment—it appeared that VCARB was slower compared to the Alpines.

Oscar Piastri – Rating: 6.5

Piastri experienced another weekend that didn't quite meet expectations. Despite the potential to win the sprint race if not for team directives, he made a significant error on his last lap during the Q3 session of Grand Prix qualifying. This mistake left him at a disadvantage, and he struggled to bounce back afterward. Additionally, he incurred a 10-second time penalty due to a collision with Lawson that could have been avoided.

Liam Lawson – 7.5

Lawson appeared to have more confidence racing on a dry track, maintaining a lead over Tsunoda during the sprint event. Considering his limited experience, it wasn't unexpected that his speed wasn't as competitive in wet conditions. Despite this, he successfully held off Hamilton and Perez for a large part of the race.

Lewis Hamilton – 4.5

Hamilton’s struggles in the 2024 season persisted during the race at Interlagos. He failed to find competitiveness, even in the rain, a scenario where he usually performs well.

Sergio Perez – Rating: 4.5

Perez experienced yet another frustrating weekend. He was unable to reach Q3 in both qualifying rounds and ended up without any points.

Oliver Bearman – 6.5

Bearman's performance remains noteworthy, as he managed to surpass his seasoned teammate Hulkenberg in both qualifying rounds. The Haas team faced challenges in the rainy conditions, and Bearman, still gaining experience, encountered difficulties, spinning out twice and colliding with Williams' driver, Colapinto.

Valtteri Bottas – 7.5

Bottas impressed during the qualifying session, just missing out on making it to Q3. However, he had a rough beginning in the race due to insufficient tyre warmth, which led to a drop in his position, ultimately concluding the race in 13th place.

Fernando Alonso – 6.5

Alonso and Aston Martin faced a challenging weekend, as their car was considered the least competitive at Interlagos.

Zhou Guanyu – 5.5

Zhou had a rather unremarkable weekend in Brazil, where he was significantly outpaced in qualifying sessions by more than a second. On race day, he ended up in the last position.

Carlos Sainz – 4

Following his flawless performance in Mexico, where he earned a perfect score, Carlos Sainz struggled significantly this weekend. The Spanish driver showed a lack of speed during the sprint race and suffered two crashes on Sunday. It was certainly a weekend he would prefer to leave behind.

Franco Colapinto – 3

Williams and Colapinto faced challenges over the weekend, with Colapinto experiencing two crashes on Sunday. Similar to the situation in Mexico, he seemed to lag behind his teammate Albon in terms of speed.

Alex Albon – 4

Albon will regret his crash during the Q3 session. If not for that incident, he probably would have been a strong contender for a podium finish, competing closely with the Alpines and Tsunoda during the race.

Lance Stroll – 3

Stroll's race weekend took a turn for the worse due to a rookie error during the formation lap. He miscalculated his return to the track, which resulted in his Aston Martin getting stuck in the gravel.

Nico Hulkenberg received a rating of 4. It was a tough weekend for Hulkenberg, highlighted by unusual errors and an overall performance that was not as strong as Bearman's.

Connor, known for his keen insight into F1's disputes and narratives, is the driving force behind our impartial coverage.

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FIA issues ruling on Carlos Sainz following "hazardous" incident

Carlos Sainz charged with causing a "possibly dangerous scenario"

Carlos Sainz was officially admonished by the FIA stewards after the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver was involved in a crash on the 39th lap during the

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The stewards concluded that he caused a "potentially dangerous situation" when he attempted to drive as marshals were close by, working to recover his vehicle.

According to the FIA statement, the incident involved a solo crash by the driver. The marshals arrived promptly to retrieve the vehicle.

The driver took off the steering wheel to signal to the marshals that he was leaving the car behind.

The crew communicated to the driver that they believed the vehicle was secure enough to proceed. Meanwhile, the driver reattached the steering wheel as the marshals began threading the recovery cable through the car's roll hoop.

The driver confessed that he did not know the marshals had started the recovery process.

The marshals noticed that the driver was planning to restart the vehicle, so they stopped their recovery efforts right as the driver managed to drive the car off.

The driver confessed that he was unaware the marshals had begun the recovery process and acknowledged that taking off the steering wheel clearly showed he intended to leave the vehicle behind.

"The driver alone could have prevented the risky situation that was created."

Sainz took to social media to express his feelings, stating, "It was surely a Sunday I’d rather not remember

"I apologize to the team for the additional workload. This year, I've had difficulty handling this car in wet conditions, and today was no different—I couldn't get the right feel for it. We'll move on and start fresh for the Las Vegas event."

James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports for ten years, where he covered a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Max Verstappen takes a jab at the British press following his victory over Lando Norris

Max Verstappen teases reporters during the Brazil event

Max Verstappen made fun of the UK press following his victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Formula 1.

The Red Bull racer displayed a combative attitude following his victory in Brazil, which ended his extended period without a win.

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On Sunday, Verstappen showcased an impressive performance by moving from 17th place to secure a victory in a rainy race. This marked the conclusion of a hectic weekend that had been rescheduled because of the weather conditions.

With three races left in the season, Verstappen holds a significant 62-point advantage over Lando Norris, who secured a sixth-place finish in São Paulo, in the drivers' championship standings.

During the post-race press conference, Verstappen interjected with a brief inquiry.

"Thank you all for attending… however, I notice there are no representatives from the British media here."

"Are they required to rush to the airport, or are they unaware of the location of the press conference?"

The response was laughter, echoing from the drivers standing on stage to the journalists seated before them.

With a grin, Pierre Gasly responded, "That's a reasonable question."

The determined Verstappen defied expectations in Brazil.

He started the event aware that he would face a grid penalty, dropping five places due to replacing an engine component. This came after he had received two time penalties in Mexico for incidents involving his championship competitor, Norris.

In Brazil, Verstappen was compelled to address inquiries regarding his assertive approach to racing.

During the sprint race on Saturday, he received a penalty for violating the Virtual Safety Car rules, resulting in a loss of one position. Later, he was frustrated by the delayed response to a red flag during the qualifying session, which initially left him in 12th place but dropped him to 17th after his grid penalty was applied.

However, Verstappen showcased a performance that could be pivotal in the championship race, skillfully navigating the wet conditions to maintain his lead.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of topics including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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