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#1054 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix

2021-08-07 01:00

Osservatore Sportivo

#2021, Fulvio Conti,

#1054 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix

For the nineteenth race of the 2021 season, the Formula 1 Circus arrives in Brazil to compete in the São Paulo Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday, Novem

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For the nineteenth race of the 2021 season, the Formula 1 Circus arrives in Brazil to compete in the São Paulo Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday, November 14, 2021. The name of this new Grand Prix - in Portuguese, Grande Prêmio de São Paulo - is linked to various negotiations that began in 2020, considering the possibility of relocating the race venue to Rio de Janeiro. At that time, the organizers of the Brazilian Grand Prix reached an agreement with Liberty Media, stipulating that the Grand Prix would be officially renamed as the Grand Prix of San Paolo, in accordance with the greater involvement of the local government, and that it would remain on the World Championship calendar until the 2025 season. The race takes place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, also known as the Interlagos Circuit, named after the city area where it is located. An estimated attendance of 170.000 spectators is expected for this event during the weekend. The circuit has a length of 4.309 km and winds through 15 turns, 10 left and 5 right. The first intermediate is positioned 168 meters before Turn 4 (Descida do Lago), the second intermediate 85 meters before Turn 12 (Junção), while the third intermediate coincides with the finish line on the main start-finish straight. The speed trap, where the maximum speed is recorded, is located 90 meters before Turn 1 (S do Senna). Some changes have been made to the circuit compared to the last time it was used by the top category: a small section at the apex of Turn 4 (Descida do Lago) has been resurfaced; the curbs at the apex of Turn 6 (Ferradura) and Turn 7 (Curva do Laranjinha) have been replaced with a new one called Bevel Kerb; the track surface has been grooved to improve drainage between Turn 9 (Pinheirinho) and Turn 10 (Bico de Pato) and on the right side of the main start-finish straight. For this Grand Prix, Pirelli, the sole tire supplier, offers a choice of C2, C3, and C4 compound tires, the three central compounds in the range. Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director, talks about the tire compound selection for this Grand Prix:

 

"This year, we have returned to a nomination more similar to those made until 2018, with the C4 compound as the soft option. In 2019, we had made a selection of a harder step to try to limit graining and degradation with the soft, but the result was a limited use of the hard. Interlagos is an old-school circuit that challenges both drivers and tires, and is often the scene of spectacular races, as we saw last time. Another variable is the weather: here in the past, we have seen record asphalt temperatures, sometimes the highest of the season, and other times quite low. Consequently, this year's compound nomination, more versatile, should adapt well to the challenges posed by the circuit and favor greater variability in strategies. Although the race takes place approximately at the same time of year as last time, the teams have never experienced a sprint qualifying at Interlagos, so there will be much to discover this year".

 

The Grand Prix represents, for the third and final time this season after the races in Great Britain and Italy, the experimentation of the new Sprint format, which may be applied to several other races in 2022. During the race weekend, there will be a session called Sprint Qualifying, sponsored by the company Crypto.com, a Hong Kong-based currency exchange. The session will last for 24 laps for this event or a maximum of 30 minutes according to the regulations, and the finishing positions will form the starting grid for Sunday's race. The São Paulo Grand Prix has been chosen as the third and final event, after Silverstone and Monza, of the three planned for this season. The winner of the Sprint Qualifying will be awarded the pole position for the race, valid for the FIA Pole Trophy. The top three finishers will not ascend the podium as is traditionally done for the classic Sunday Grand Prix but will be honored with a specific celebration. The new format used for this race, approved by the F1 Commission last April, consists of a free practice session on Friday, followed by the traditional qualifying. For Saturday, the format includes a free practice session followed by the 100-kilometer sprint race; the choice of tire compounds is free, and pit stops are not required. The starting grid for the sprint race is determined based on the previous day's qualifying; there are also points at stake for the top three finishers (in order 3, 2, and 1). For the day on Sunday, the usual Grand Prix is scheduled with a free choice of tire compounds to start with, and the starting grid is drawn based on the finishing order of the sprint race. Ferrari's team principal, Mattia Binotto, will not be present in the pits for this race. The announcement was made on Monday, October 11, 2021, on the eve of the United States Grand Prix. Binotto explains the decision to stay in Maranello as follows:

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"We are in a crucial phase of the 2022 project". 

 

The team's responsibility is entrusted to Laurent Mekies, as was the case in the Turkish and Mexican Grands Prix, the latter held the previous week. Ferrari has climbed to third place in the Constructors' World Championship standings and aims to consolidate this result in the São Paulo Grand Prix:

 

"Interlagos is a circuit with a medium-to-high load, primarily due to the slow central mixed section, which includes several low-speed corners. However, it also highlights the performance of the power unit, as there are straights and curves to navigate at full throttle in the first and third sectors. Overtaking is usually not impossible, and that's why many drivers love this track. However, they are well aware of its challenges, starting with the natural undulations created on the asphalt due to the soft and clayey foundation. Races in Brazil are often spectacular, with overtaking possible at the first turn as well as the braking point of the third, areas where DRS can be activated. Weather conditions have also complicated the lives of drivers and teams, with sudden downpours changing the outcomes of races that seemed already decided. This weekend may be no exception, as there is a risk of rain reported for all days".

 

On Thursday, November 11, 2021, on the eve of the race, some doubts arise about the regular conduct of the Grand Prix: the schedule was established in the weeks prior, considering the inclusion of the third and final Sprint Qualifying of the season. After the previous race in Mexico City, some flights carrying the material for the race are stuck at Miami International Airport in Florida due to adverse weather conditions. Ferrari and McLaren are the two most affected teams: to allow these teams to make up for lost time, the usual curfew is lifted, so the cars are prepared in time for Friday's free practice session without altering the schedule. Due to these delays, the Federation grants a waiver for all teams to complete all technical checks no later than three hours before the start of the first free practice session. Speaking of the São Paulo Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton expects Red Bull Racing to be very competitive at Interlagos:

 

"They were strong the last time we were here. If they are faster, this won't play in our favor".

 

The World Champion denies, for now, the choice to install a new engine, stating that no decision has been made with his team regarding this:

 

"I can't really comment at the moment, I don't know. I don't think the engines have even arrived this morning. So, as far as I know right now, my engine is fine. But I'll find out later. We haven't had the meeting with the engineers yet".

 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also expects a tough race, with Red Bull being very competitive. However, the Austrian manager is aware of the opportunities that may arise during the weekend:

 

"The positive aspect of these three consecutive races is that you don't have to wait long to regain positive momentum. We are excited to return to Brazil; the fans are very passionate, and Interlagos is an iconic circuit. It hasn't been our ideal track in recent seasons, as it tends to favor Red Bull more, but this year has shown that anything can happen. It's also the last sprint race weekend, opening up various opportunities. We will give everything we have in the São Paulo Grand Prix and the following races. We are privileged to still be in the fight at this stage of the championship, and we expect the titles to be decided in the end, with both teams fighting hard until the last moment. We have a bit to catch up, and we know it will be an intense battle, but we will continue to push hard and keep our eyes firmly on the ultimate goal".

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The Red Bull Racing driver, Max Verstappen, remains cautious in his predictions, emphasizing the numerous variables that could influence the outcome of the weekend:

 

"It's difficult to say how competitive we will be. In 2019, we won the race, but it was a tight battle until the end, and I expect something very similar this year. Let's see what the weather forecasts are because that can have a certain impact on performance. There will also be a sprint race this weekend: I tend to do well in the sprint race, but then I get poor results in the main race, so I'll try to reverse this trend. Winning the Constructors' Championship would mean a lot to the team, of course. We work for both championships, and Checo has been very competitive in the recent races. For now, we are taking it race by race, and we just need to focus on continuing to push to the maximum".

 

Red Bull Racing consultant Helmut Marko explains how significant it would be for the team to win the World Championship with Max Verstappen:

 

"We signed Max when he was 15, and we made a pact together. It would be the culmination of his career and what we have built together with his father. However, there are still four races to go, and many points are still up for grabs. A single retirement could jeopardize our lead. Mercedes has often had advantages this year, but overall, we have the best package with Max. The possibility of another penalty for Hamilton for a power unit change would obviously make us very happy".

 

The Austrian manager approves of Verstappen's driving style and approach in these crucial final races to determine the outcome of the World Championship:

 

"When you drive trying to manage or control, the chances of making a mistake increase. Simply trying to get on the podium and collect points doesn't make sense if you want to win the Championship. Verstappen will try to win them all. Max continues to amaze us; you think he has reached his peak performance, and yet he can raise the bar. His skills are incredible, calibrated to his young age".

 

Finally, Marko sets a very ambitious goal for this Grand Prix:

 

"In Brazil, we want a one-two finish".

 

Alpine driver Fernando Alonso criticizes the composition of the calendar, particularly the choice of holding races in consecutive weeks in locations that are very distant from each other, emphasizing how demanding it is for the teams and mechanics:

 

"Obviously, only Hamilton and Verstappen are fighting for this championship in a very long season characterized by these trips. From my point of view, this triple transfer is not the most convenient. Each race is separated by 12 hours of flight, and it's important that teams and mechanics preserve their energy. They packed everything until late at night to catch the plane to Brazil, where they will have to unpack and set up the garage again. It's really at the limit for them. We need to find better solutions for the calendar. Austin is only an hour and a half from Mexico, but we raced there two weeks ago. It's strange that some events are separated by two weeks while others, in different continents, are consecutive, one after the other".

 

Later, the Spanish driver recalls his victory in his second World Championship, precisely on this track, in 2006:

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"Physically, it's a challenging circuit, and the weather can be extremely unpredictable. There's always some drama in Brazil, so we have to be prepared for that, but it makes the whole weekend exciting: anything can happen. Interlagos brings back beautiful memories, and it doesn't seem like 15 years have passed since I won my second title here. We had a strong package that year, but as the season entered the final stages, the Ferraris were very fast and consistent. However, Michael Schumacher retired in Suzuka, and we were missing only one point to win. In the end, we had a great race, finishing second, and it was enough for the title. The subsequent feeling was incredible".

 

On Friday, November 12, 2021, the on-track activity begins with the first free practice session, followed in the afternoon by qualifying. Before the start of the Friday free practice session, the fifth unit related to the internal combustion engine is installed on Lewis Hamilton's car. The British driver of Mercedes will therefore be penalized with a five-position grid penalty. At 12:30 p.m., the first free practice session begins; the weather conditions are good, with air temperatures at 18 °C and track temperatures at 36 °C. Lewis Hamilton records the best performance of the session. The British driver sets a better time compared to the second free practice session of the last race held on this track in 2019 with the edition of the Brazilian Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen by three and a half tenths. The Red Bull driver from the Netherlands is followed by his teammate at Red Bull Racing, Sergio Pérez, by one-tenth. Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly follow, with Gasly delivering a better performance than the two Ferraris, which nevertheless showed a good pace in the race simulation. At the end of this session, transmissions are replaced on the cars of Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz Jr., Kimi Räikkönen, Yuki Tsunoda, Mick Schumacher, and George Russell. No driver is penalized on the starting grid as Ricciardo, Norris, Stroll, Alonso, Ocon, Sainz Jr., and Räikkönen used the previous transmission for six consecutive Grands Prix; Tsunoda and Schumacher did not finish the previous Mexican Grand Prix; Russell had to replace the previous transmission in the previous Grand Prix, an operation that took place before competing in six consecutive races with the same component. At 4:00 p.m., the qualifying session is scheduled, which will determine the starting grid for the Sprint Qualifying to be held on Saturday afternoon. Charles Leclerc is the first driver to set a time in the qualifying session, immediately surpassed by the other Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz Jr., and then by Pierre Gasly. Lance Stroll then takes the lead, until Lando Norris lowers the limit to 1'09"537. 

 

Later, Max Verstappen surpasses him, recording a time of 1'09"329, while Pérez fails to beat Norris's time, finishing in third place. Daniel Ricciardo is behind the Mexican driver. The first driver to go below one minute and nine seconds is Lewis Hamilton. Valtteri Bottas is third, 0.050 seconds slower than Max Verstappen, who does not improve his time in the second attempt. As the session progresses, track conditions improve, benefiting the two AlphaTauri drivers, who climb to third and fourth positions with Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, respectively. The two Ferrari drivers also improve: Carlos Sainz Jr. moves to second place, while Charles Leclerc, after a canceled lap for exceeding track limits, climbs to third place, ahead of Valtteri Bottas. In the final part of the session, Fernando Alonso also improves, moving up to ninth place. Antonio Giovinazzi is even faster and climbs to sixth place. Esteban Ocon, who was in the elimination zone, improves his time in the last attempt and eliminates Lance Stroll. In addition to the Aston Martin driver, Nicholas Latifi, George Russell, Mick Schumacher, and Nikita Mazepin do not advance to Q2. In Q2, Lewis Hamilton completes his first lap in 1'08"659, while Valtteri Bottas finishes the lap in 1'08"973, beaten by Pierre Gasly in 1'08"903. However, the race director cancels Hamilton's time because the world champion exceeded track limits. Max Verstappen is then in the lead with a time of 1'08"567, while Leclerc sets the third time; Ricciardo is fifth, behind Carlos Sainz Jr. and ahead of Sergio Pérez and Lando Norris. Hamilton completes a lap and sets a time of 1'08"386, thanks to an excellent sector in the second sector. Valtteri Bottas improves his performance to 1'08"699. Esteban Ocon climbs to tenth place, temporarily eliminating Lando Norris, while Leclerc is in fifth place. Sebastian Vettel improves his performance but remains only in twelfth place, while Sergio Pérez sets the sixth time. Norris rises to seventh place, while Hamilton lowers his time again to 1'08"068. 

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Esteban Ocon, Sebastian Vettel, Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Räikkönen, and Antonio Giovinazzi do not advance to Q3. In Q3, it takes a few more minutes to see the first cars on the track. Leclerc completes the lap in 1'09"403, beaten by Carlos Sainz Jr., who is in turn surpassed by Pierre Gasly. Sergio Pérez and, finally, Lewis Hamilton, in 1'08"107, then take the lead. Max Verstappen, who complains about front tire overheating, is positioned 0.265 seconds behind Hamilton; behind the Dutch driver is Valtteri Bottas. With the second attempt, Hamilton lowers his time again to 1'07"934. His rival, Verstappen, matches the time of the first attempt and finishes second. Even Bottas does not improve his performance, remaining in third place, as Sergio Pérez fails to beat the Finnish driver's first time. Hamilton will start in first place in the Saturday Sprint Qualifying. Lewis Hamilton is very happy with the qualifying result, although it will be compromised by the penalty he will have to serve in the race. The reigning world champion, however, does not lose hope of making a comeback:

 

"I am happy to be back here in Brazil. One of the marshals told me that I should use Senna's colors more often in the flag because it's my first pole after a long time. I thank the team for pushing to the maximum. It was really tough after the last race to go from one Grand Prix to another and come here. Bringing back and rebuilding the car was challenging. The mechanics worked crazy hours. We will have a penalty, but we'll see. It's not easy to follow on this track. Max will be in pole, it will be difficult to catch him, but I will do my best to gain positions. I hope the weather will be better, which will make things difficult for everyone. But I am very grateful. It's been a while since I was on pole, it feels like the first time. If I think that the last times I secured pole position, I did it under penalty regime, of course, I feel a bit sorry, but I will do my best to make up ground in the race. I trust the team's judgment, and I hope Bottas has a good start tomorrow".

 

Max Verstappen is also happy with the result and is not concerned about the gap to Hamilton, believing that the new engine brings a performance advantage:

 

"Far from Lewis? They brought a new engine; they will have more power throughout the weekend. For me, it's not a big shock. I'm happy to be second. It's a great starting position. Of course, we would have liked to be closer, but sometimes you have to be realistic. We didn't have much more to squeeze. Limiting the damage tomorrow? Sure, I don't have many points to gain in the Sprint, I hope to have a good first lap, then we'll see. The most important thing will be the Sunday race. Setup? In the race, it will be different; it will be hotter. We'll see".

 

Red Bull Racing consultant Helmut Marko attributes part of the gap to an imperfect setup but agrees with Verstappen that the position obtained is satisfactory:

 

"We didn't find the ideal setup; if Max had put together the perfect lap, he would have paid two tenths, still a lot on this track. A second or third place tomorrow would already be welcome".

 

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner also identifies the second place as the best achievable in qualifying but still expresses confidence in being more competitive in the race:

 

"I think we know the reasons for this placement; we have a good setup for the race, and it will be hotter during the weekend. The tires will be an important factor. We'll see for the race. For now, we're there on the front row, and we're aware of it. It's difficult to make predictions, but if we do a direct comparison with Bottas, we are almost two tenths apart. Since this morning, Lewis was very, very strong. That new engine obviously provides fresh horsepower for him. As a result, the second place was the best we could afford. Max is a racer, and if he can gain an advantage from the start, he will. He needs to finish second to get the pole on Sunday. He'll have to give his all at the start, and we'll see how it goes. With warmer temperatures, I think we can have a very good car".

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Valtteri Bottas is satisfied with the starting position but not with the performance, especially the gap to his teammate in the first sector:

 

"The first practice session was complicated; I didn't feel comfortable in the first sector. In qualifying, it went a bit better, but I was still losing a lot in turns 1-2 compared to Lewis, and even on the straight. I'm not satisfied. For tomorrow, the starting position is good. Everything is at stake. Hopefully, the first lap will be full of action".

 

Carlos Sainz Jr. is happy after qualifying, especially with the increasing feeling with the car:

 

"It's been a very positive day; I'm starting to find my way and my driving style with this car. This allowed me to start today with a good pace. The sixth place is an important result for the Sprint qualifying, which would have been much more complex if it had been at the beginning of the year when I didn't know the car well yet. This time I felt more ready to do the qualifying, and I did some good laps".

 

The Spanish Ferrari driver credits Pierre Gasly and AlphaTauri but aims to beat them in the race:

 

"Gasly's results may be surprising to you, but not to us. I don't know why AlphaTauri is always a surprise in the media; for us, it's always half a tenth ahead in all our simulations. When Pierre manages to do good laps, he is very difficult to beat. Our goal for tomorrow is to try to beat them and be the first among the 'normal' teams: we will risk at the start to try to overtake Gasly and then try to maintain the position to start well on Sunday. Mercedes and Red Bull are still very far away here".

 

Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, is not satisfied in the same way. The Monegasque driver couldn't complete a perfect lap in the final phase of qualifying but still ranked ahead of the McLarens, direct rivals in the battle for third place in the Constructors' Championship:

 

"Track limits? In the end, it was difficult for me as for others. Changing the rules from free practice to qualifying is certainly not ideal, but it was the same for everyone. Today is by no means an excuse for the not-so-great lap I did in Q3. Only one set of softs? On that, I lost a bit of rhythm in Q3 with used tires, but that's how this qualifying went. We are sixth and seventh; we will try to maximize the potential tomorrow. We have the Sprint Qualifying to make a good start and hope to do a bit better. The result today is not what I expected, but we are still ahead of the McLarens. That's the most important thing; we have to try to stay there".

 

At the end of the qualifying session, after technical inspections conducted by the Federation, the rear wing that enables the use of the DRS on Lewis Hamilton's car is found to be non-compliant with the technical regulations when the device is in operation. For this reason, a technical delegate from Mercedes is summoned by the race stewards. The Federation announces that a decision on the non-compliance of the car's rear wing will be made on Saturday morning when new evidence becomes available, summoning the team's technical delegate again the following morning. Hamilton is disqualified from the qualifying session but is allowed to participate in the Sprint Qualifying by the race stewards. The Anglo-German team states that they will not appeal against the decision made by the stewards. Max Verstappen is summoned by the race stewards the next morning for not following the procedures established by the sporting regulations during the parc fermé, at the end of the qualifying session. The Dutch driver allegedly violated Article 2.5.1 of the International Sporting Code, which states:

 

"Within the parc fermé, only assigned race officials are allowed to enter. No operation, check, tuning, or repair is allowed unless authorized by the race officials or by the applicable regulations".

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After qualifying, a video shows Max Verstappen touching the rear wing of Hamilton's Mercedes, the element around which Red Bull Racing's protests revolve, making a comparison between the two cars. The Red Bull Racing driver is fined 50,000 euros by the Federation. Shortly after the official verdict, Red Bull Racing's team principal, Christian Horner, comments on the Federation's statement, expressing some perplexity about certain details:

 

"It's ironic; Max gets a fine but still gets a bonus for securing pole position. Mercedes has had tremendous speed in the last four races, arousing the curiosity of all the drivers".

 

And he adds:

 

"I would be surprised if they wanted to appeal. I understand it was a difficult decision for the FIA, but in this case, it's either black or white. I think that's the only conclusion the stewards could come to. We ourselves faced a similar situation in 2012 when irregularities were found in the front wing during the Abu Dhabi tests while we were fighting for the championship, and we were forced to start from the back. They have incredible pace, and on this track, overtaking is possible, so I see Hamilton in the top 10 of this race. Tomorrow will be even hotter, and grip will be a crucial factor. Nothing can be taken for granted, especially here. Now we just have to focus on the race. Bottas has a good pace, and we need to give our best. They have excellent top speed and a new power unit, which is quite powerful".

 

On Saturday, November 13, 2021, the second free practice session is scheduled, followed in the afternoon by the Sprint Qualifying. At 12:30 p.m., the second free practice session begins, with clear skies and an air temperature of 19 °C, similar to the previous day. The asphalt temperature rises to 49 °C. In this session, Fernando Alonso sets the fastest time. The Spanish champion is focused on preparing for the afternoon's Sprint Qualifying, using Soft tires and outpacing Max Verstappen by over 0.8 seconds. Esteban Ocon finishes behind the Dutch driver. Lewis Hamilton concludes the session with the fifth time, but Mercedes has focused more on race simulation. Pierre Gasly seems to struggle more than in Friday's practice session when he achieved excellent results. The French driver sets the fourteenth time, penalized by the increase in asphalt temperature. At 4:00 p.m. local time, the Sprint Qualifying is scheduled, with clear skies, and temperatures have dropped to 17 °C for the air and 37 °C for the asphalt. The two Red Bull drivers, the two McLaren drivers, the two Williams drivers, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll, and Lewis Hamilton opt for Medium tires. The others start with Soft tires. At the start, Valtteri Bottas overtakes Max Verstappen, taking the lead immediately. The Dutch driver loses another position immediately, being passed by Carlos Sainz Jr. at Turn 4 (Descida do Lago). The Red Bull driver also goes off the track but manages to rejoin without damage. 

 

The standings continue with Sergio Pérez, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly. Lewis Hamilton, starting last, is fourteenth at the end of the first lap. On lap 2, Kimi Räikkönen spins, dropping to last place after being touched by his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi. Max Verstappen complains about a gearbox synchronization problem; despite this, he manages to overtake Carlos Sainz Jr. on lap 4. In the same lap, Lewis Hamilton overtakes Yuki Tsunoda and, during the next lap, also Antonio Giovinazzi. The World Champion's comeback continues on lap 8 when he overtakes Fernando Alonso. Max Verstappen reduces the gap to Valtteri Bottas to less than two seconds. On lap 9, Lando Norris attacks Charles Leclerc on the main straight but without success. The maneuver succeeds on the next straight. Midway through the race, Max Verstappen further reduces the distance to Valtteri Bottas, hoping to take advantage of the Medium tires in the final part of the Sprint Qualifying. On lap 14, the Dutch driver, for the first time, is less than a second behind the Finnish driver. Lewis Hamilton also overtakes Sebastian Vettel, moving up to ninth place on lap 2. Shortly afterward, the British driver also overtakes Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. The World Champion is now less than four seconds behind Charles Leclerc. 

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Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas manages to extend the lead over Max Verstappen to just over a second. The other Red Bull driver, Sergio Pérez, reduces the gap to Carlos Sainz Jr., who is struggling with the tires. During the last lap, Lewis Hamilton climbs to fifth place, overtaking Lando Norris. However, the British driver will start only in tenth place during Sunday's race due to the penalty imposed for the replacement of the internal combustion engine. Thanks to the victory in the Sprint Qualifying, Valtteri Bottas will start in pole position, ahead of Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver, with the two points earned, further increases his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the World Championship standings. Valtteri Bottas is very happy with the result and considers the start a key moment on a day when everything worked perfectly.

 

"Departure was the key today. I had a good start, we took a risk with the soft tires, but it worked. Max struggled to follow me in some corners. I'm glad everything worked out until the end. Thanks to the fans for all the support".

 

Max Verstappen couldn't react to the overtaking at the start, but he showed good competitiveness in the race pace, which makes him optimistic for the race:

 

"The start? It wasn't the best, especially because I had the hard compound. But then the pace was good. But here, when you're close, you can't overtake. They are very fast on the straight. You have to make big curves to overtake. Today it wasn't possible, but I'll try again tomorrow".

 

The Dutch driver also doesn't hide his suspicions about the flexibility of the Mercedes' rear wing:

 

"We have our suspicions that something is happening there; at the beginning of the year, we all had to change our rear wings with the pillar and the rear part. So, I think there's still something going on with the main plane opening and giving them more top speed. I was just looking at the rear wing, and there's clearly something".

 

Finally, the leader of the World Championship jokes about the fine he received:

 

"It's a hefty fine. Let's hope they have a nice dinner with lots of expensive wine. They can even invite me to that dinner; I paid for it".

 

The start was also a key moment for Carlos Sainz Jr.:

 

"Great start. It was needed. It was something I wanted to improve, and I did it. I struggled a lot with Checo and Max, but I managed to pass. Then, in the end, I struggled a lot to keep Checo behind, but I did it. I was always on the limit. In turn 1, we were always close, but I managed. Today, it's cool, there were colder temperatures on the track, and that helped the soft tires perform better. But tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., it will be different".

 

The Spanish Ferrari driver confirmed his competitiveness this weekend, successfully translating a good start into a strong race pace:

 

"Not only these 24 laps, but the whole weekend has been the best since I've been with Ferrari. From yesterday's practice, through qualifying, to today's start, I was immediately comfortable with the car: thanks to the work every weekend with the engineers to keep improving. We were aggressive and managed to make a good start and handle the Soft tire well until the end. After passing Verstappen, I immediately saw that he had too much speed for us. The early laps with the soft tire are crucial to manage it: if you push, you risk not making it to the end. I used the laps when Max passed me to save the tire a bit and use it later against Perez. Tomorrow, we'll have a good opportunity starting third, but Red Bull has various options with the strategy to overtake me with Checo. It will be a tough 70 laps".

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Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, is not as happy with his performance, penalized by a tire choice that turned out to be wrong. The Monegasque driver is aware that he needs to improve:

 

"Sure, at the start, it would have been better to have the red tire. But in the long run, the medium should have worked better, but it wasn't the case, and I struggled. I struggled more than Carlos, who instead had a very good race. I hoped to at least keep Norris' McLaren behind. It's frustrating, but I have to work on myself because the car is fast; it's me who let myself be passed today. I have to work for tomorrow. As for the race, everything is possible. Obviously, the tire choice at the start will still be something to pay attention to. We aim to overtake the McLaren again and finish ahead with both cars".

 

Lewis Hamilton is proud of his performance and the competitiveness of his car; both aspects give him confidence for the race to fight for important positions:

 

"I had a lot of fun. I couldn't do anything else. I started last, had to enjoy the race. I had no idea what the possible result would be today. I couldn't let what happened bring me down; I had to keep pushing and rising. Another comeback tomorrow? Today, I got a lot of energy from the fans. Being able to come back keeps me in the fight for the race. I'm a few positions away from those going for the podium. It will be tough tomorrow, but it's a much better position than today when I was last. We accept the result. I'm very happy with the balance we have and the hard work we're all continuing to do. It will be a good race tomorrow".

 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praises both Lewis Hamilton's and Valtteri Bottas's performances, both delivering convincing performances:

 

"Lewis is coming back; I think he made 16 overtakes. I don't know how many he made during the race to finish fifth. It's nice to be able to forget about politics for a moment and watch a great race. Sometimes, after the frustrations of Formula 1, you can see these beautiful 60 minutes with Valtteri in complete control of the race. We had an excellent car and a valid strategy. Bottas had a good top speed, and he was very good at closing all the doors. As for the decision made by the stewards, it simply has to be respected, and we decided not to appeal".

 

Finally, the Austrian manager clarifies the meaning of a gesture he made at the end of the Sprint Qualifying:

 

"It was not at all related to what happened with the regulations; it was just an encouragement message to recover and rebuild everything. It was nice to see so many overtakes. Now the wings have been checked, and everything is fine. We have a good car, and throughout all the laps, we didn't suffer tire wear. Tomorrow, however, will be different, also because it will be hotter than today".

 

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner seems very concerned about Hamilton's performance ahead of the race:

 

"Seeing the speed Hamilton had today, he can win tomorrow".

 

Lando Norris is satisfied with his performance, having made the most of the car's speed. The British driver is particularly mindful of the challenge against Ferrari in the constructor's standings:

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"It was a good day for us with two positions gained, one against a very important competitor, which is Ferrari, and one against AlphaTauri. Consequently, we have given ourselves the best opportunity to score important points in the race. There were some positive and negative aspects, both in terms of the potential of the car and personal safety to push it. We will try to make all possible improvements overnight to see if we can come out even stronger. We did everything we could, even though we didn't have the pace of the Ferraris; we still managed to stay ahead of one of them".

 

The performance of teammate Daniel Ricciardo has not been equally positive, also due to a less than ideal positioning during the first turn:

 

"The start itself was good, but I got stuck inside the first turn, and the positioning wasn't ideal. I'll take a look at this aspect and make sure I'm at the top for the race. We want to try to recover, so we'll see what we can do. I'll learn from today to come back fighting for the Grand Prix".

 

On Sunday, November 14, the São Paulo Grand Prix is scheduled. The race is set to start at 2:00 p.m. local time. Weather conditions are optimal, with temperatures being the highest recorded throughout the weekend, at 23°C for the air and 54°C for the asphalt. The expected race distance is 71 laps, equivalent to 305.879 km. Kimi Räikkönen starts from the pit lane due to the replacement of the rear wing. The majority of the crowd supports Lewis Hamilton, but this doesn't seem to bother his Championship rival, Max Verstappen, who is focused and determined to have a good race:

 

"It's natural for fans to support one driver over another, so I don't have any particular thoughts about more support for Hamilton here in Brazil. I hope to have a good race; many things can happen. I hope to start well and go from there".

 

Another driver appreciated by the local fans is Sergio Perez. The Red Bull Mexican driver is optimistic about the race:

 

"Brazilians are similar to Mexicans; I really have a lot of support here. I think today in the race, with warmer temperatures than yesterday, things should be easier. I hope to have a good start and gain some positions".

 

Charles Leclerc states that he has a clear goal for this race, which is to beat the McLarens:

 

"We are focused on the race; I hope to have a good performance. I need to recover a bit: we aim to finish both cars ahead of the McLarens. I start alongside Norris, so hopefully, we can pass him as quickly as possible".

 

His teammate, Carlos Sainz Jr., is even more ambitious and hopes to repeat the result from the Sprint Qualifying:

 

"I'll give it my all to secure a podium. If I could have a good start and a good position in the beginning, we might have a chance if something happens to Mercedes or Red Bull. Basically, the approach is the same at the start. At the beginning, when you're in an offensive mindset, it's difficult for those behind to overtake you. McLaren is within a tenth in terms of race pace. We hope to hold the position on the track at the start, and then we can compete with both cars".

 

Valtteri Bottas is confident in his ability to defend against Max Verstappen, thanks in part to the high top speed:

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"I think the straight has been one of our strengths in defending against Verstappen, and I hope to get a good start and defend the position. Our pace and that of Red Bull are not so different, so we'll play it with the strategy".

 

Lando Norris expresses confidence in the capabilities of his car, convinced that he can compete with Ferrari:

 

"I'm excited: we have a good car, and it's been fast enough to beat Ferrari. I hope to have another fight with them, but especially with Carlos".

 

His teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, agrees regarding the impressions on the car. The Australian driver is determined to redeem the Sprint Qualifying result:

 

"I think the recent races we've had, now that they've allowed the audience back in the stands, have increased the energy. I just need to do better today; we have the car to do it. I hope to join the battle with Sainz Jr., Leclerc, and Norris".

 

Ferrari's team principal, Mattia Binotto, explains the main differences teams will have to consider in facing today's race compared to Sprint Qualifying:

 

"Today's strategic choices are completely different from those of Sprint Qualifying. We have different fuel loads and almost 20°C higher asphalt temperatures, so we need tires that allow us to do a few more laps and be flexible with strategies. Anything can happen: overtakes, Safety Car... We expect a good race between Mercedes and Red Bull, but also an interesting battle right behind".

 

Red Bull Racing's team principal, Christian Horner, focuses on two fundamental aspects, the start and the strategies:

 

"The start will play a crucial role: Mercedes can win, but so can we. Strategies will play a key role".

 

All drivers, except Yuki Tsunoda, decide to start with Medium tires. The Japanese driver is the only one opting for Soft tires. At the start of the São Paulo Grand Prix, both Red Bull Racing drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, overtake Valtteri Bottas, while Lando Norris is slowed down due to a puncture and is forced to return to the pits to change tires. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. are in fourth and fifth positions, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who is already in sixth place at the end of the first lap. The British champion overtakes both Ferrari drivers between laps 2 and 3, and on lap 5, he swaps positions with his teammate Valtteri Bottas. On lap 4, Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll's cars collide: the Japanese driver damages his car. The race direction, to clean the track from debris, imposes the use of the Safety Car. At the restart, Max Verstappen retains the lead, with Sergio Pérez defending his position from Lewis Hamilton's attack. In the lower positions, a contact between Mick Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen's cars leads to the failure of the Haas driver's front wing. This time, the race direction opts for the virtual safety car. The race resumes in its competitive aspect after a few minutes. During lap 17, Hamilton overtakes Pérez at the first corner. However, the Mexican driver regains the second position at turn 4 (Descida do Lago). On lap 8, the World Champion overtakes Pérez again, this time maintaining the second position. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo overtakes Sebastian Vettel, securing the eighth position. During lap 26, both Lewis Hamilton, who switches to a set of Hard tires, and Carlos Sainz Jr., who still uses Medium compound tires, pit. The following lap, Max Verstappen also pits; the Dutch driver re-enters the track ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who lost some time overtaking Daniel Ricciardo. Sergio Pérez pits on lap 28. Meanwhile, the race direction imposes the virtual safety car again, as Stroll's car spreads debris on the track. Valtteri Bottas chooses this moment to make a pit stop. 

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Max Verstappen continues in the lead, followed by Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Pérez (losing the third position in this phase), Fernando Alonso, and the two Ferraris. The Spanish driver of Alpine is soon overtaken by Charles Leclerc before making a pit stop. During lap 40, Verstappen makes the second pit stop: the Red Bull Racing driver re-enters the track with another set of Hard tires. This time, the Dutch driver is slowed down by the presence of Nicholas Latifi in the pit lane. In the following laps, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas also pit. Lewis Hamilton thus finds himself leading the race until lap 43, when he also pits for the second time to change tires. The Mercedes team chooses to mount Hard tires again, even though the driver was more inclined to choose a different compound than Verstappen. During lap 47, Hamilton attacks Verstappen at turn 4. The Dutch driver defends by opening the trajectory, entering the escape road, and preventing his rival from completing the overtake. Verstappen is investigated by the race direction but receives no penalty. The British driver persists, and after a few laps distancing himself from the opponent to cool the tires, he attempts the overtake on Verstappen at the beginning of lap 58. This time, the Dutch driver is warned with a black and white flag for the defensive maneuvers in the previous lap, judged on the edge of the regulations. Hamilton remains in the lead without the Dutch driver having a chance to reduce the gap. On the last lap, Pérez sets the fastest lap of the race after fitting Soft tires in the previous lap. This prevents Red Bull Racing from denying the additional point to Hamilton. The World Champion secures his 101st victory in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship, reducing the overall gap from Verstappen to 14 points. Lewis Hamilton is radiant at the end of the race, which marked a significant turnaround to a weekend that seemed compromised. The reigning World Champion thanks the entire team and the support of the Brazilian crowd, highly appreciated by the British driver.

 

"Now I believe I have experienced what a Brazilian goes through with all the support behind. I am truly grateful; it's been since Silverstone that I had so much support on my side. Today was really tough. I must thank the team; the crew did a fantastic job. Valtteri was excellent today, bringing the maximum points possible to the team. I pushed as hard as I could, but starting from the back of the grid, with an additional five-place penalty, I think it was the toughest weekend of my life. But my father reminded me of 2004 when I started last in F3 in Bahrain. I finished tenth and then first. This race is for my father. Championship fight? Before the weekend, I never thought we could recover so many points as we did today. This shows that you should never give up. You have to keep pushing and fighting. Never stop fighting. This victory feels like the first. I haven't won in a long time".

 

Later, Lewis Hamilton focuses his speech on the duel with Max Verstappen on the track:

 

"At that moment, I wasn't surprised by the lack of penalty for Verstappen, but I don't even remember if he seemed too aggressive. In the end, it doesn't change anything. I overtook him. That's what matters. He was very fast today, and it certainly wasn't easy to follow him for so long, always staying close. But I was persistent. At some point, I was sure that sooner or later I could overtake him. In every turn, I tried to take the racing line. I kept telling myself not to give up. In the end, the opportunity presented itself, and we did it. Message for my opponent? I really don't care about the message this victory sends to them. It's a message for all the people watching. Everywhere in the world. Everything is possible if you believe, if you put your mind to it, and if you never give up. Even if the fight is hard. That's what I want people to remember".

 

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, on the other hand, states that, in his opinion, Max Verstappen's behavior deserved a penalty from the stewards:

 

"Lewis was smart, super smart to avoid contact, and it was beautiful to see these two drivers fight, but there should have been a five-second penalty or similar. In some ways, the race was also difficult for us, and Lewis didn't want to comment on this decision made by Race Control. It's really hard to defend so close to the limit".

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In the midst of celebrations, Toto Wolff pointed with his index finger at the camera, almost dedicating this victory to someone:

 

"My gesture in the pit was just a friendly greeting to the race director. Yes, because we started the weekend on the wrong foot with the penalty for the power unit, and then we got a disqualification yesterday that was tough to accept. However, the team always stayed together, even more so after these verdicts. We will continue to fight, and we will never be victims. I would just like to see Max's onboard. It is spectacular to see how Lewis moved to the outside to avoid contact. Red Bull's wing? It's the third time they've made a change in parc fermé. We did it yesterday for a part that was broken, and we didn't even get permission, while they did it three times. But that's how it is. The strength we put into this race allowed us to win. We know Red Bull always has something to complain about; we expect their protests, but that's the philosophy of this championship. There are inquisitions and protests; it's part of the game. Whoever wins this championship at the end of the season will have deserved it, and we will always respect that. The car is completely legal, and we thought it was even after qualifying. It didn't pass the test because the flap because the rear wing was damaged".

 

He concludes by saying:

 

"The engine has no reliability problems; otherwise, there would be a power degradation as well. We saw that when we have a new engine, it gives us more power. I don't know if it's a turning point weekend; a week ago, we left Mexico with our heads down. We lost to a very strong team and a very strong Max, while today we were the most skillful. It's already time to focus on Qatar".

 

Max Verstappen loses the battle with his direct competitor for the World Championship but expresses satisfaction, aware that the pace difference was too high to beat him. The Dutch driver, however, does not lose hope for the upcoming races:

 

"We tried everything today. It was a good battle, I think, but in the end, we lacked a bit of pace. We gave it our all; it was a lot of fun. We have a good points advantage; we limited the damage in a weekend that was a bit tough for us. But I am confident that in the upcoming races, we will recover. I could have lost ten points, but I only lost five. So overall, it went well. Of course, I would have preferred to stay closer to him, but it was really tough for us. It's also true, however, that the new engine gave him more power right away. At the moment, it may seem dramatic, but I'm sure that slowly it will return to normal. It's been like that for me all year; I was up, I went down, I followed, and then I went back ahead. Many things can still happen".

 

Finally, the leader of the World Championship also comments on the on-track duel with Lewis Hamilton, agreeing with the stewards' decision not to impose any penalties:

 

"We were fighting for position. I don't think the stewards should have taken any action. It was a good battle. Not just once, but several times I had to defend, and I tried to do everything possible. I believe the result is the best we could achieve. Surprised by their performance? Yes, I hoped that we had a bit more, but already at the beginning of the weekend, we saw that it would be tough. We'll see. Now there are three races that are totally different, and we'll see how it goes there".

 

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner is also aware of the too high pace difference in this race to try to fight for victory and congratulates Max Verstappen for his performance:

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"With that new engine, straight-line speed is quite impressive, and Max couldn't do much to defend himself; there was no match. He resisted hard, but today, he had no chance. We reached a high point in Mexico, while today we led the race for 75% of the duration. It's always difficult to accept a defeat when you've led for so many laps, but this was against expectations. I think Max did an incredible job holding Lewis behind for so long. Yesterday we saw that the pace of that car was simply unstoppable".

 

The British manager defends the choice of the stewards not to impose penalties during the on-track duel between Verstappen and Hamilton:

 

"These are two guys racing hard, they went wide, and it's unfair to penalize them for that. Why should they be penalized? They didn't gain any advantage, and there was no contact. We've talked about this several times: let them race".

 

Finally, Horner acknowledges the legality of the Mercedes but maintains a certain focus on technical investigations:

 

"We trust the work and investigations of the FIA, and we won't protest this race. However, it's important to understand where the speed comes from. They have a new engine and aerodynamic levels similar to Monaco. When he overtook Max, he was 30 km/h faster. So, there's something we still need to understand. We've worked so hard to get into this position, while Mercedes didn't need to as they often dominated. Now, we're putting pressure on them, and we'll do it to the best of our abilities".

 

It's a genuine disappointment for Helmut Marko, who, with the disqualification of Lewis Hamilton before the Sprint Qualifying, was already anticipating his driver's success. However, the manager focuses on the power of the Mercedes power unit, which appeared decidedly superior to the competition, raising concerns for the last three races of the World Championship:

 

"We haven't seen an engine like Mercedes' in recent years, as far as I can remember. Mercedes has done a great job putting such a rocket on the track in this crucial phase of the Championship. Hamilton won on the straights, while Max was on average two or three tenths faster in the middle sector. He risked everything, had to drive to the limit. Obviously, this also affected the tires. But it was the only way not to be caught on the straights. If they can maintain the engine performance until the last race, it won't be good news for us".

 

Valtteri Bottas has mixed feelings. The Finnish driver is happy to have contributed to the team's result but is disappointed with his own performance, especially in the first lap:

 

"The start was complicated. I'm disappointed with the start and the first lap. I tried. After that, the pace was quite good. I thought we could also easily make a one-stop, but the team decided on two stops. I'm glad we gained points on Red Bull. Lewis was fantastic, he won a great race. For once, the Virtual Safety Car favored me; I'm glad we scored important points".

 

Mercedes' team principal, Toto Wolff, explains the triumphant gesture in the pits right after the race; the Austrian manager is proud of the various challenges the team faced and overcame to achieve this victory:

 

"My gesture in the pits was just a friendly greeting to the race director. Yes, because we started the weekend on the wrong foot with the penalty related to the power unit, and then we got a disqualification yesterday that was tough to accept. However, the team always remained united, even more so after these verdicts. We will continue to fight, and we will never be victims". 

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And adds:

 

"I would just like to see Max's onboard. It's spectacular to see how Lewis moved to the outside to avoid contact. Red Bull's wing? It's the third time they've made a change in parc fermé. We did it yesterday for a part that was broken, and we didn't even get permission, while they did it three times. But that's how it is. The strength we put into this race allowed us to win. We know Red Bull always has something to say; we expect their protests, but that's the philosophy of this championship. There are inquiries and protests; it's part of the game. Whoever wins this championship at the end of the season will have deserved it, and we will always respect it. The car is completely legal, and we thought it was even after qualifying. It didn't pass the test because the flap on the rear wing was damaged".

 

Finally, the Austrian manager denies the alleged reliability issues with the power unit, explaining that the decision to install a new engine was strategic:

 

"The engine does not have reliability issues, otherwise there would also be a power deterioration. We have seen that when we have a new engine, it gives us more power. I don't know if it's a turning point weekend; a week ago, we left Mexico with our heads held high. We lost against a very strong team and against a very strong Max, while today we were the most skillful. It's already time to focus on Qatar".

 

Unlike all the other colleagues, Sergio Perez raced in Qatar and therefore starts with an undeniable advantage. The Mexican competed in Lusail back in 2009 when he was participating in the Asian GP2 (winning Race 2 that weekend, by the way). Checo, therefore, is not lacking in knowledge of the Middle Eastern track, but, of course, they need to dust off the simulator. And they need to dust it off quite well, considering that Mercedes seems to have returned very strong in Brazil.

 

"We were very unlucky on Sunday to miss the podium. But this is the world of racing, and these things happen, so there's no point in dwelling on it. I just need to move forward, focus on Qatar, and get back on the podium there. I think we will do a thorough analysis as a team: Losail is a very different track from São Paulo, things will change. We hope to be much stronger there throughout the weekend. For me, it's also nice to return to the normal weekend format; let's see where we stand in terms of pace. I think we will be competitive; we hope to give Mercedes a hard time. It's a really fast track, with a lot of downforce required, let's see how fast we will be. I don't remember it well; I raced there a long time ago, so I don't think I have a big advantage! There are still three races in the season, and everything is still up for grabs. Brazil had a very fun race; hopefully, it will be the same this weekend".

 

Ferrari's team principal, Mattia Binotto, declares satisfaction after the Grand Prix. Scuderia Ferrari achieved an important result for the standings, but the Italian engineer also emphasizes the team's growth in various aspects:

 

"These are important points for the goal of third place. There has never been so much difference between us and McLaren on both sides. There are still three Grand Prixs left, two of which are unknowns. I believe that until the end, there will be a battle; we have to try to stay ahead. The positive aspects are the points gained on McLaren and reliability, which has so far proven to be an indispensable element. Looking ahead to 2022, we know that our car cannot compete with the top ones. It stems from last year's project, which had problems and defects. The car has grown very well, and the team at home is working hard for 2022. But we are also growing on the track, in terms of management, strategies, pit stops, and drivers. They fought in the early laps and the first corners; it made me think of 2019: I feared, but this time they did not take excessive risks. Among themselves, they know exactly what to do. I hope to see them fight each other again; it's a good thing, but the important thing is that they maintain a safety margin". 

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And he adds:

 

"Decided hierarchy at the start? Yes, it was important and decisive. Once the positions were gained, it was about managing the tires and pit stops. Both drivers had a very careful race; they had the same pace, and this also gives satisfaction. Trend against McLaren? We have certainly made progress. The latest evolution of the power unit has helped us with race management, defense, and also to be able to run with a higher aerodynamic load. If we look at the races from Russia onwards, we have had a small advantage over McLaren".

 

The development work on the power unit also satisfies the Ferrari team principal, who is convinced that it will be crucial to be stronger in 2022:

 

"The engine is not yet at the level of Mercedes and Honda, although it has recovered part of the gap. The difference is narrowing more and more. Knowing how much we are pushing gives me hope for a competitive 2022 where we can compete effectively against others. But we will only know next year. Hamilton's engine change? Honestly, I don't think it's a power unit issue. From one track to another, a car can adapt better. In Mexico, Red Bull had an advantage, here Mercedes had it. It is also evident from Bottas's performance, who did not change the engine. Today, the difference between the two is small. It will matter a lot how the cars adapt to the upcoming Grand Prix, two of which are uncertain for everyone".

 

Finally, the Swiss engineer does not want to delve too much into regulatory disputes, expressing confidence in the FIA:

 

"Non-compliant cars? I heard about it, I don't know what he meant. He will have to be more precise. I have no idea. This weekend has been marked by these disqualification issues, rear wings, and nervousness from everyone. I don't know. Every team knows what they are doing. The FIA controls. I don't know what he meant".

 

Carlos Sainz Jr, unlike the Sprint Qualifying, did not have a good start, losing positions that compromised his race. The Spanish Ferrari driver regrets not exploiting the competitiveness on the track, which was very good throughout the weekend:

 

"I lost at the start even before the contact with Norris. I shouldn't have been fighting with him in turn 1; I started really badly. I think I did the same procedure as yesterday; I did everything the same, but for some reason, I had a lot of wheel spin. It's one of those things I don't understand, and we'll have to analyze it with the engineers. From there onwards, I had a good pace and good tire management, but it's difficult to overtake here. I was very fast all weekend. I wanted to finish in the top 5; I had the pace and all the cards to finish further ahead. I followed Charles throughout the race, but with the dirty air, it was difficult to get closer to more than two seconds. We had a good rhythm, but when you lose everything at the start, for two weekends in a row, like here and in Mexico, when you've been faster, it leaves you with a bad feeling. But things can go like that, and we'll continue to improve. The important thing is that I'm improving every race and giving myself opportunities".

 

Finally, Sainz Jr. clarifies the content of the conversation with teammate Charles Leclerc immediately after the end of the race:

 

"I just asked him how the car was for him. Don't think badly".

 

George Russell did not score points, but he is pleased with the performance and competitiveness of the car, which appeared better than in the previous days. The British Williams driver looks positively at the next race:

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"It went better than we expected; the first two stints were quite difficult since we couldn't make any progress in the early laps and struggled at the restart. The last stint, however, was good, so much so that we managed to stay ahead of Giovinazzi. Being able to keep an Alfa Romeo behind is quite important for us, especially in a weekend where we didn't have pace. The thirteenth position is not what we aim for as a team, but given the circumstances, I think it was still a good result. I am more optimistic towards Qatar because I think the Lusail circuit suits the characteristics of our car more than the last two events, and therefore we hope to go there and be faster next weekend".

 

With three races remaining in the World Championship, the challenges remain open. Max Verstappen remains the leader of the championship with a 14-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton. They are then followed, much more distant, by Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, and Lando Norris. The McLaren British driver, after this race, loses part of the advantage over both Ferrari drivers, especially Charles Leclerc, who is now only 3 points behind. In the constructor's standings, Mercedes maintains the first position, increasing the lead over Red Bull Racing to 11 points. Ferrari follows, consolidating the third position with a 31.5-point advantage over McLaren. Alpine and AlphaTauri remain tied in points, in a heated battle for the fifth position in the standings. But next week, the championship will return immediately with the twentieth race, which will be hosted for the first time ever in Qatar, at the Lusail International Circuit, added to the calendar as a replacement for the Australian Grand Prix, previously canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


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