Verstappen triumphs, World Championship masterpiece in Brazil! Leclerc saves Ferrari

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The Dutchman wins in Brazil (starting 17th) dealing a heavy blow to his direct rival who also risks a penalty for the chaos at the start

SAO PAULO (Brazil) - The exhausting and chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix was won by a crazy Max Verstappen who, starting from 17th, made a superb comeback in the rain that could have sealed the title. In fact, the Dutchman returned to success on Sunday (after 10 races) ahead of the Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly with Lando Norris dramatically (and under investigation) 6th. For Ferrari, it was a complicated race with only Charles Leclerc at the finish line in 5th place, with Sainz retiring.

After the drama of the postponed start, the race gets underway with Russel beating Norris at the first corner while Verstappen recovers 7 positions, closing the first lap in 10th place. Leclerc takes advantage of the duel in front of him between Lawson- Tsunoda -Ocon and moves up to 5th.
Norris finds his rhythm and follows Russell with Verstappen the fastest on the track and unleashed : he overtakes Piastri and Lawson, moving up to 6th place after 11 laps, getting behind Leclerc who, in turn, is trying to attack Ocon. On lap 25, Leclerc (surprisingly) breaks the ice and goes to the pits, remounting the intermediate but returns in 13th place. The intensity of the rain increases significantly and the Virtual Safety Car arrives and is removed when Russell and Norris enter the pit lane at 29: Ocon is leading ahead of Verstappen, who has not yet stopped but the track conditions are impassable and the Safety car arrives. On lap 32 the race is stopped by the red flag after Colapinto 's accident , a godsend for the first three (Ocon, Verstappen, Gasly) who will be able to stop in the pits. In the long wait a black flag comes out for Nico Hulkenberg because he returned to the track with the help of the stewards.

The race restarts in the rain and Norris goes wide losing the position on Russell while Ocon tries to escape on Verstappen. The ordeal of interruptions continues with Sainz hitting the wall on lap 39 and the Safety Car back on track. It restarts on lap 42 with a super Leclerc who passes Norris (wide again) and Russel (4th) as well as Verstappen who takes the lead of the race! Russell passes Leclerc again (who went wide) in great difficulty also overtaken by Norris who tries to rebuild the race. Verstappen escapes with authority putting 11" ahead of Ocon, a tight fight for 3rd place that sees Gasly resist Russell.


Brazil, the Top 10

M.Verstappen ( Red Bull )
E.Ocon (Alpine)
P.Gasly (Alpine)
G.Russell ( Mercedes )
C.Leclerc (Ferrari)
L.Norris ( McLaren )
Y. Tsunoda (RB)
O.Piastri (McLaren
L. Lawson (RB)
L.Hamilton (Mercedes )