The 2021 Formula 1 season continues to be very intense, with Lewis Hamilton who this time proved to be stronger than the grid penalties and went on to win the Grand Prix of Sao Paulo in an amazing way to keep the fight for the championship alive more than ever. The English driver’s comeback was impressive and concluded with a battle like from the past with Max Verstappen before the decisive pass with 12 laps to go.
The Dutchman tried everything to defend himself from an unrivaled Mercedes on the Interlagos track, first pushing his rival off the track in turn 4 (maneuver which was not punishable for the Race Direction) and then zigzagging on the Reta Oposta (for which he received the black and white flag), but was unable to do anything in the decisive lunge always at the Descida do Lago.
Verstappen had however been the protagonist of a perfect start, passing Valtteri Bottas at the first corner and taking Sergio Perez with him. The Finn then let Hamilton pass him easily, as the Mercedes driver was then helped by a Safety Car.
Ferrari was best of the rest, but very far from Mercedes and Red Bull. Charles Leclerc finishes fifth ahead of Carlos Sainz, with the Monegasque who this time showed a better pace than the Spaniard after overtaking him at the start. Behind them Pierre Gasly, after two wonderful passes on the Alpines of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon in the last laps of the race, while Lando Norris takes home a tenth place after suffering a puncture at the start. Daniel Ricciardo, on the other hand, retired: a great blow for McLaren in the fight for third place in the Constructors’ classification.
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