Conclusions from an insane Brazilian Grand Prix

Michelle Foster
Conclusions from an insane Brazilian Grand Prix

After 51 laps of chess, chaos descended at the Interlagos circuit for the final 20 laps of the Brazilian Grand Prix and still Max Verstappen stood tall.

Insanity at Interlagos

Brazil breathes Ayrton Senna and his spirit was alive at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix which delivered another crazy result full of passion and emotion.Max Verstappen’s dominant performancehad the air of Senna in his pomp while Pierre Gasly’s second place after a season of difficulties rewrote the story of what redemption can be in the cut-throat universe that is F1.

Then there was heartbreak for Alex Albon, a podium for McLaren, a penalty for Lewis Hamilton and the lightest of touches between the two Ferraris resulting in Charles Leclerc’s car falling apart like Lego car flung against a wall.

Max wins duel against the Champ

英特拉格斯赛道再次强调其legen地位dary track, a track that punishes mistakes and that also provides drivers with opportunities to overtake. Verstappen made the most of those opportunities by overtaking Hamilton twice on his way to a famous win. Fans and analysts alike have waited to see the young pretender take on the king.

With all things being more or less equal, Verstappen showed that he can – and will – beat Hamilton. This may not be a surprise but what a delight to see the pair plunge into battle for a grand prix victory.

Max-Verstappen-and-Lewis-Hamilton-battling-PA

Verstappen was robbed of a win in 2018 due to the silly incident with Esteban Ocon and there was no stopping him in 2019. His form coupled with Honda’s gains mean anything is possible in 2020.

The power of dreams

The improvements in Honda’s power unit were visible in the run up the hill to the chequered flag as Gasly in the Toro Rosso had enough grunt to out-drag Hamilton’s Mercedes to the line to claim one of the most remarkable podiums in recent F1 history.

Honda says it believes in ‘the power of dreams’ and Gasly will scarcely believe what he achieved at Interlagos, having been unceremoniously dumped Red Bull earlier in the season. It is a result that does give the decision-makers at Red Bull some food for thought as they plan their driver line-ups in the coming seasons.

Gasly described being on the podium as “insane”and that just about sums up it.

Albon’s nightmare

Albon drove an assured race until the first safety car period, when he came alive and dispatched of Sebastian Vettel with a fine move into turn 1.

The Red Bull youngster admitted that Hamilton would have overtaken him for P2 after the second safety car had the World Champion not bumped him off the track. A lesson learned for Albon, perhaps. Although he had the racing line, his was a half-hearted defence against Hamilton’s half-hearted lunge.

Next time he either needs to fight with everything he’s got, or pick his battles and let the faster car past without putting up a fight. F1 is, after all, an all-or-nothing sport.

Sainz podium testament to his rise as McLaren team leader

It is easy to forget that Carlos Sainz was once part of the Red Bull programme, and on his form through the course of 2019 there is a good argument to be made that he would have succeeded where Albon failed and claimed third place on the road. As it happensSainz did bag a podium after Hamilton was penalised, McLaren’s first since March 2014, with what could easily be considered drive of the day.

The Spaniard started last but ran a contra strategy on a one stop. Yes, the safety cars did help. However, this was a drive to remember as he defended beautifully at both restarts despite being on older rubber than his rivals. Sainz has deserved a big result this season given his speed, consistency and leadership at what is a constantly improving McLaren team.

Ferrari running out of their own feet to shoot

Tensions have run high at Ferrari all season, with Leclerc seemingly at the receiving end of poor strategy calls and Sebastian Vettel refusing to let him by inRussia, despite the youngster having himself followed orders in both Australia and China.

The 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix again highlights what a waste the season has been for the Scuderia, which has been unable to maximize results despite often being the fastest car over one lap and on the straights. Losing points due to Ferrari drivers colliding is just another unwanted problem in a long line of unwanted problems thatteam boss Mattia Binotto must deal with.

Other notes

* With a top three consisting of a Red Bull, a Toro Rosso and a [McLaren], the 2019 race at Interlagos is the first since the 2013 US Grand Prix not to feature either a Mercedes or a Ferrari on the podium.

* Gasly’s second place for Toro Rosso is the best result for the Red Bull juniors since Vettel’s win at Monza in 2008.

* Alfa Romeo’s P4 and P5 finish betters the P5 and P6 the then-Sauber team scored in the 2012 German Grand Prix. Under the guise of Alfa, by the measure of a combined team finish, this is the Italian’s outfit’s best result since the 1951 Swiss Grand Prix. Remember that one?

Richard F Rose

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Conclusions