F1 Brazilian Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates and results as Max Verstappen beats Lando Norris
Max Verstappen completed an emphatic victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix after Daniel Ricciardo escaped injury when his car was struck by a flying tyre.
Lando Norris finished second for McLaren, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso holding off Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez by just 0.053 seconds for third.
But it was an abysmal afternoon for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton eighth and George Russell forced to retire his car with an engine failure 12 laps from the end.
Hamilton crossed the line an eye-watering 63 seconds behind.
Follow live updates from the Brazilian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX - RACE UPDATES
Max Verstappen wins the Brazilian Grand Prix; Norris 2nd; Alonso 3rd
Click HERE for the top-10 in Brazil
Machine Gun Kelly storms off after bizarre ‘air guitar’ exchange with Martin Brundle
WHAT A MOVE! Fernando Alonso takes third place from Sergio Perez on the final lap
RESTART! Fernando Alonso passes Lewis Hamilton at turn 4!
RED FLAG! Big crash at lights out pauses the race straight away
START! Lando Norris up to P2 from sixth at the start
CRASH! Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari into the barrier on the formation lap
Verstappen won the sprint race ahead of Lando Norris on Saturday
PREVIEW: Ayrton Senna’s dazzling genius endures – but where’s the next Brazilian F1 star?
Daniel Ricciardo has narrow escape in Brazil: ‘I saw a tyre coming at me like a frisbee’
21:55 , Kieran Jackson
Daniel Ricciardo said he was thankful to be alive after he narrowly avoided being struck by a flying tyre in Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
The race in Sao Paulo, won by Max Verstappen, was suspended after a chaotic start which saw the loose carcass hit Ricciardo’s rear wing following a collision between Alex Albon and Nico Hulkenberg.
Albon, 13th on the grid, drew alongside Hulkenberg ahead of the first corner, but the two machines made contact, sending the London-born driver into Hulkenberg’s Haas team-mate Kevin Magnussen and then into the barrier.
Read full piece below:
Daniel Ricciardo has narrow escape: ‘I saw a tyre coming at me like a frisbee’
Lewis Hamilton makes dispiriting Red Bull prediction ‘for next couple of years’
21:42 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton all but wrote off his chances of challenging for a record eighth world championship for the next two years following Mercedes’ “inexcusable” performance at Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
As Max Verstappen extended his winning record to 17 races in the most dominant season Formula One has ever seen, Mercedes endured an abysmal afternoon.
Hamilton took the chequered flag in eighth, an eye-watering 63 seconds behind, with George Russell forced to retire the other Mercedes.
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton makes dispiriting Red Bull prediction ‘for next couple of years’
Machine Gun Kelly storms off after bizarre ‘air guitar’ exchange with Martin Brundle on F1 grid
21:11 , Kieran Jackson
Machine Gun Kelly was involved in a bizarre exchange with Martin Brundle on the F1 grid in Brazil – with the rapper putting his thumb down to the camera at the end.
On Sunday, prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brundle bumped into the American rapper and a strange interview started and finish in excruciating circumstances.
At first Machine Gun Kelly – real name Colson Baker – stared into the distance as he appeared unable to hear Brundle, before then saying: “Honoured to be here.”
Then, the American fiddled with Brundle’s poppy on his shirt before being asked about how his career is going. He simply replied: “What are you saying? I don’t think about my career, I don’t think about it.”
More below:
Machine Gun Kelly storms off after bizarre ‘air guitar’ exchange with Martin Brundle
20:34 , Kieran Jackson
Race report
Max Verstappen completed an emphatic victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix after Daniel Ricciardo escaped injury when his car was struck by a flying tyre.
Lando Norris finished second for McLaren, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso holding off Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez by just 0.053 seconds for third.
But it was an abysmal afternoon for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton eighth and George Russell forced to retire his car with an engine failure 12 laps from the end.
Hamilton crossed the line an eye-watering 63 seconds behind.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen triumphs at Brazilian Grand Prix on torrid day for Mercedes
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
20:20 , Kieran Jackson
“Inexcusable performance, what we did to it was horrible. I feel for the two drivers driving it, you can’t be within seven days on the podium and then nowhere finishing eighth.
“We are clearly not world champions on sprint weekends. It doesn’t explain what went wrong, the car almost drove on three wheels - not on four.
“This car does not deserve a win. We need to push for the last two races and recover, but the performance today was... I’m lacking words.
“Straight-line speed was one issue but we were killing the tyres, eating them up in a few laps.”
Lewis Hamilton after finishing eighth:
20:03 , Kieran Jackson
On being told he’s only got two more races with this car: “Thank god!
“It didn’t feel as disastrous as yesterday, when I had no tyres left. I drove a better race today in terms of managing the tyres, but there’s moments the car works and then it doesn’t - and it’s so inconsistent throughout the lap. Slow on the straights, sliding in the corners.
“One to forget, hopefully lots of learning today. Car is unpredictable, I’m sure we’ll go and look at things. I’m still proud of the team, they hold their head up high. We have to keep pushing forwards. Two more races in this thing and then hopefully no more driving it.”
Time for the podium!
19:53 , Kieran Jackson
A lively podium at Interlagos as all the fans make their way onto the home straight!
The Dutch and Austrian national anthem bellows out once more though for Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s win!
Just look at how much that podium means to Fernando Alonso 🟢 pic.twitter.com/uOJRJxQ5NM
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
Fernando Alonso after finishing third:
19:42 , Kieran Jackson
“I thought the podium was gone with two laps left, but went for it in 4 and it’s a phenomenal result for the team. We keep fighting until the final lap.
“We’re still learning about the car, these cars are so complex. Happy for this result and now off to Vegas!”
Fernando Alonso reacts to THAT final lap battle with Sergio Perez ⚔ pic.twitter.com/Ag0aP4rGYI
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
Lando Norris after finishing second:
19:31 , Kieran Jackson
“Very good, couldn’t have gone much better. It was a nice surprise but the second start I was a bit aggressive on that. P2 is the best we can get nowadays.
“There’s little bits when the tyres come back to you but Max always has an answer to anything which is a shame. But P2 is a good result.”
"P2 is as good as we can get nowadays, for the time being" 🥈
A strong race from Lando 💪 pic.twitter.com/aUEPi2Kgkz— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
Max Verstappen after finishing first:
19:23 , Kieran Jackson
“Both the starts were very good and then it was all about managing the tyre.
“It all looked good but with the high deg you’re always correcting the car, your focus always needs to be there.”
"The whole race was about the management of the tyres" 🏎
A 17th win of the season for Max Verstappen 👏 pic.twitter.com/Z9odo4WHZx— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
Here’s the run to the line between Alonso and Perez!
19:15 , Kieran Jackson
LEAVING IT ALL OUT THERE!
Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso race all the way to the line! 😲 pic.twitter.com/PmlOJkl6nd— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
TOP-10 AT THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX:
19:09 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Lando Norris
3) Fernando Alonso
4) Sergio Perez
5) Lance Stroll
6) Carlos Sainz
7) Pierre Gasly
8) Lewis Hamilton
9) Yuki Tsunoda
10) Esteban Ocon
Max Verstappen wins the Brazilian Grand Prix!
19:03 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen takes the chequered flag and wins the Sao Paulo Grand Prix - with Lando Norris in second!
But for third, Fernando Alonso has taken back the place on the last lap at turn 4!
And it was a drag race on the home straight - and Alonso takes it by 0.054 seconds!
4-10: Perez, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Ocon
An EPIC battle for the final podium spot ⚔🥉 pic.twitter.com/l0gpdRHqpQ
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
Sergio Perez takes third place from Fernando Alonso (Lap 71/71)
19:00 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez gets the move done!
Turn 1 is the place, down the inside with superior speed!
Poor Alonso! So close to a podium for Aston Martin!
Final lap now...
Carlos Sainz has an issue (Lap 70/71)
18:59 , Kieran Jackson
Sainz in sixth, 4.4 secs clear of Gasly in seventh.
“I have no downshifts, the left paddle is not responding,” says Sainz.
Fernando Alonso brilliantly keeping Sergio Perez behind him (Lap 67/71)
18:56 , Kieran Jackson
Awesome car placement from Fernando Alonso as he looks to cling on to that podium!
Sergio Perez has been within DRS for about 10 laps but the Red Bull can’t make a move stick!
Five laps to go....
1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Alonso, Perez, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Ocon
Lando Norris sets the fastest lap of the race (Lap 63/71)
18:51 , Kieran Jackson
It’s a stormer of a first lap on these soft tyres for Lando Norris - a 1 minute 12 second lap makes him 2.5 seconds quicker than any other man on track!
Gap to Max Verstappen now 9 seconds. It’ll be too late for a march for the lead, me thinks...
Lando Norris pits (Lap 60/71)
18:48 , Kieran Jackson
Just too much risk for McLaren, it seems.
They pit Lando Norris and he comes out back in seventh, 13 seconds behind Max Verstappen, but with fresher tyres.
10 seconds further behind is Fernando Alonso, who is defending brilliantly and valiantly from Sergio Perez in fourth! Best battle on track this at the moment!
5-10: Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Ocon
George Russell retires (Lap 59/71)
18:47 , Kieran Jackson
What a year a difference makes for George Russell.
After claiming his first race win, Mercedes now retire their car due to high oil temperatures - and they don’t want their engine to blow.
It rather sums up a nightmare weekend for the Silver Arrows.
Max Verstappen pits (Lap 57/71)
18:45 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull make their move first, pitting Verstappen for softs and dropping him back into second - 11.8 seconds behind Lando Norris, who now leads.
A safety car now would really help McLaren - will they get a random slice of luck?
There’s no danger of losing second, so McLaren may as well keep their man out for now.
3-10: Alonso, Perez, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Russell
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris yet to pit again (Lap 55/71)
18:41 , Kieran Jackson
The gap between the top two is 7.7 seconds - and back to Fernando Alonso in third is 36 seconds, with the top two having not pitted for a second time.
Perez catching Alonso in third though... watch this space.
5-10: Tsunoda, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, Russell
Bit of a nightmare race this for Mercedes....
Carlos Sainz pits (Lap 52/71)
18:38 , Kieran Jackson
The Ferrari pits and it’s a bit slow on the rear-right - he comes out in P7, in-between Tsunoda and Gasly.
Lance Stroll also comes in to the pits - slow, 4.3 seconds - and drops to sixth.
Pierre Gasly now takes eighth from Lewis Hamilton (Lap 51/71)
18:35 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes just don’t have the pace this weekend!
Lewis Hamilton struggling on his new set of softs: “I’m in his DRS and I’m still not catching him!”
The top-four of Verstappen, Norris, Stroll and Sainz are yet to pit.
Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 48/71)
18:32 , Kieran Jackson
Hamilton comes back out on softs and is in ninth, just behind Esteban Ocon now in eighth.
Out in front, Max Verstappen very much in control in first - 6.7 secs ahead of Lando Norris - while Fernando Alonso comes in too and drops to fifth.
His team-mate Lance Stroll now in third place.
1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Stroll, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Tsunoda, Ocon, Hamilton, Gasly
Lewis Hamilton complaining about his car (Lap 46/71)
18:30 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes man says “Dunno if it’s gusty but the car feels so bad in the air.”
Currently running P7.
Valtteri Bottas retires (Lap 40/71)
18:22 , Kieran Jackson
Ah dear, what a nightmare for Alfa Romeo! It’s a double DNF!
And they had spare soft tyres to use...
Max Verstappen sets the fastest lap (Lap 38/71)
18:20 , Kieran Jackson
It’s still five seconds, but Max Verstappen takes the fastest lap from Lando Norris!
Fernando Alonso is 11 seconds down the road in third but is now coming under pressure from Sergio Perez in fourth - 1.6 seconds behind.
5-10: Stroll, Sainz, Hamilton, Russell, Gasly, Tsunoda
Yuki Tsunoda has just taken 10th from Valtteri Bottas...
Battle between Hamilton, Russell, Sainz (Lap 35/71)
18:16 , Kieran Jackson
The race order has now just settled quite a bit, though there’s a good battle between Hamilton, Sainz and Russell in sixth, seventh and eighth - Sainz has just taken 7th from Russell.
Verstappen’s gap to Norris is now 5.2 seconds. A substantial lead now.
1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Alonso, Perez, Stroll, Hamilton, Sainz, Russell, Gasly, Bottas
The question is, who will employ what strategy? Two-stop or three-stop?
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris pit on the same lap! (Lap 28/71)
18:07 , Kieran Jackson
2.2 secs for Verstappen, 2.6 secs for Norris.
Both onto mediums. And 4.8 secs now the gap.
But... who will use the mediums more proficiently?
1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Alonso, Perez, Stroll, Hamilton, Russell, Sainz, Ocon, Bottas
Top-10 have all pitted onto mediums.
Fernando Alonso pits (Lap 26/71)
18:04 , Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso the first of the front three to pit and his Aston Martin comes out in sixth, ahead of Sergio Perez in seventh.
The soft tyre definitely the preferred tyre here - and the top two yet to pit.
Verstappen’s gap to Norris? 3.5 seconds.
Zhou Guanyu having to retire! (Lap 23/71)
18:01 , Kieran Jackson
Running in 15th, the Interlagos race is no more for Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu!
He becomes the fourth driver to retire, joining Magnussen, Leclerc and Albon!
George Russell pits (Lap 20/71)
17:57 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell now dives into the pits and comes out just behind Lewis Hamilton... but Hamilton might be in trouble!
Hamilton: “I’ve got a problem with my front right...”
Plenty of pit stops incoming here me thinks...
Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 19/71)
17:55 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton the first of the frontrunners to pit - it’s a quick stop - and he comes out in plenty of space in 11th.
How will these medium tyres work? We’ll soon find out!
Sergio Perez takes fifth place from George Russell (Lap 16/71)
17:51 , Kieran Jackson
With George Russell having dropped out of DRS from his team-mate, he is powerless to defend from Sergio Perez into turn 1!
Perez up to fifth - and now he chases down Lewis Hamilton in fourth.
Out in front, though Lando Norris has set the fastest lap, he has now dropped to 2.2 secs behind Max Verstappen.
Incidentally, Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri are a lap down in last place after not following the safety car before the restart!
1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Alonso, Hamilton, Perez, Russell, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Tsunoda
Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris (Lap 10/71)
17:43 , Kieran Jackson
Lando got close!
Verstappen defends well on the inside at turn 4 with the cars side-by-side, and has now extended his lead to 1.7 seconds suddenly!
Has Norris lost his chance?
Fernando Alonso around 1.3 secs behind Norris.
Further back, Russell has DRS on his team-mate, with a DRS train forming behind the Mercedes duo.
Lando Norris within DRS of Max Verstappen (Lap 7/71)
17:39 , Kieran Jackson
The McLaren is in touching distance of the race leading Red Bull!
3-10: Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Perez, Stroll, Sainz, Gasly, Ocon
Max Verstappen keeps the lead! (Lap 4/71)
17:36 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen gets away really well at lights out v.2 and keeps the lead, while Lando Norris just about holds off Lewis Hamilton at turn 1!
But Hamilton then gets caught napping at turn 4, with Fernando Alonso sliding down the inside to take third!
Max Verstappen leads the pack around once again!
17:34 , Kieran Jackson
Take two now then!
A reverse of the front row of the sprint yesterday, with Lando Norris in second and Max Verstappen first.
Can the McLaren steal a march on the Red Bull?
Ricciardo and Piastri are good to go, but will start in the pit lane.
Charles Leclerc after crashing out:
17:28 , Kieran Jackson
“When I lost the steering wheel, I had no hydraulic problem. I know what it is, I cannot go into too much detail. I spun and hit the wall, I couldn’t do anything.”
BREAKING: Race will restart at 2:31pm (GMT)
17:24 , Kieran Jackson
Around seven minutes then until the race will restart, with another formation lap and a standing start!
Clock is ticking for the mechanics of Daniel Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri and Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, who both sustained damage at the start!
Charles Leclerc crashes on formation lap in dramatic start to Brazilian Grand Prix
17:23 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc crashed out of the Brazilian Grand Prix before the race even started on Sunday.
The Ferrari car, starting second on the grid alongside Max Verstappen, had a hydraulics failure on the formation lap.
Leclerc’s car smashed into the wall, with his power steering failing, in a dramatic start to the proceedings at Interlagos.
Charles Leclerc crashes on formation lap in dramatic start to Brazilian Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc has now abandoned his Ferrari
17:13 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc is now walking back to the pits - he’s confirmed OUT of this race!
TOP-10 AFTER START OF RACE:
17:11 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen -
2) Lando Norris +4
3) Lewis Hamilton +2
4) Fernando Alonso -
5) Lance Stroll -2
6) George Russell +2
7) Sergio Perez +2
8) Carlos Sainz -1
9) Esteban Ocon +5
10) Yuki Tsunoda +6
OUT - Magnussen, Leclerc, Albon
Charles Leclerc is still with the marshals by his Ferrari car, but surely he cannot rejoin the race having not started?!
Oscar Piastri’s rear wing is broken!
17:09 , Kieran Jackson
Trouble for McLaren!
Oscar Piastri’s rear wing is broken, and he may well be out of the race!
McLaren will have a bit of time now though, as they clear the debris.
Charles Leclerc is running around the outside of the track in the hope that his Ferrari can get back involved in the race!
RED FLAG!
17:07 , Kieran Jackson
The whole pack is going through the pit lane to avoid the considerable debris at turn 1!
And we have a red flag!
Lando Norris up to second!
17:05 , Kieran Jackson
Terrific start from Lando Norris - he’s up to second from sixth after storming down the inside past Fernando Alonso!
And a huge crash at the back triggers a safety car! Kevin Magnussen and Alex Albon both out too!
What a dramatic start to this race!
Lewis Hamilton up to third too!
Charles Leclerc crashes on the formation lap!
17:03 , Kieran Jackson
“I lost the hyradulics, why am I so unlucky.”
Disaster for Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari! He drops it and smashes into the barrier!
He’s out of the race before it’s even started!
Nobody is going to start alongside Verstappen on the grid!
"Why the 🤬 am I so unlucky?!" 📻
Disaster for Charles Leclerc on the formation lap 😲 pic.twitter.com/n4H155RD5X— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 5, 2023
Formation lap!
17:02 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen leads the pack around the Interlagos circuit for the formation lap!
Every car on soft tyres, bar Logan Sargeant in 19th on mediums. The hard tyre very unlikely to be used today given the tyre degradation around this 15-turn track.
So, who will get the nod early on?
A reminder of the starting grid for the race:
16:58 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Lance Stroll
4) Fernando Alonso
5) Lewis Hamilton
6) Lando Norris
7) Carlos Sainz
8) George Russell*
9) Sergio Perez
10) Oscar Piastri
11) Nico Hulkenberg
12) Kevin Magnussen
13) Alex Albon
14) Esteban Ocon*
15) Pierre Gasly*
16) Yuki Tsunoda
17) Daniel Ricciardo
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Logan Sargeant
20) Zhou Guanyu
*Russell, Ocon and Gasly all received two-place grid penalties for impeding in qualifying
It’s Brazilian Grand Prix time!
16:56 , Kieran Jackson
So what sort of race will we get today?!
Max Verstappen on pole, with Charles Leclerc in second - can the Ferrari get a jump on the Red Bull?
And what about the Mercedes’ and McLarens further back?
Race odds!
16:55 , Kieran Jackson
Fancy a flutter?
Race win odds:
Max Verstappen - 1/9
Lando Norris - 7/1
Lewis Hamilton - 16/1
Sergio Perez - 33/1
Charles Leclerc, George Russell - 40/1
Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri - 66/1
Fernando Alonso - 80/1
Lance Stroll - 250/1
Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon - 500/1
Odds provided by MyBettingSites
Max Verstappen after starting on pole:
16:53 , Kieran Jackson
“A lot of people learning from yesterday, I expect a lot of form people to be close today.”
Felipe Massa:
16:51 , Kieran Jackson
“This grid is the most enjoyable grid for me, great to be here and see so many friends. I’m sure it’ll be a nice race to watch.”
Driver Standings after the sprint race on Saturday:
16:50 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 499 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 246 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 222 points
4) Carlos Sainz - 184 points
5) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
6) Lando Norris - 176 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 170 points
8) George Russell - 156 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 87 points
10) Pierre Gasly - 56 points
11) Lance Stroll - 53 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 45 points
13) Alex Albon - 27 points
14) Yuki Tsunoda - 11 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
16) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
17) Daniel Ricciardo - 6 points
18) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
19) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
20) Liam Lawson - 2 points
21) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur:
16:48 , Kieran Jackson
“The most important thing is to have clean air and have a proper stint, with the position of Charles we hope for more.
“Target for end of the championship is Mercedes, but we have to be focused on ourselves - not to shadow them or focus on them.”
Brazilian national anthem time at Interlagos!
16:48 , Kieran Jackson
Performed by Ludmilla...
Problems with George Russell’s car
16:45 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes man was complaining of dust coming out the front of the car on his reconnaissance lap - and his front nose is currently off.
He’s taken a two-place grid drop to P8 for impeding in qualifying. We shall see if that affects the start of his race...
Ayrton Senna’s dazzling genius endures – but where’s the next Brazilian F1 star?
16:29 , Kieran Jackson
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
For a career as distinguished as three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna’s, his record at his home race was peculiarly underwhelming. Having made his debut in 1984 and tasted disqualification while leading in 1988, Sao Paulo’s favourite son only claimed his first victory at Interlagos in 1991. And, like much in the Brazilian’s enthralling time in F1, it was no easy ride.
Starting on pole, Senna’s path to victory seemed nailed on until a late gearbox issue forced him to complete the final laps solely in sixth gear. With the heavens having opened too, a stall or a spin seemed excruciatingly inevitable but somehow, in a manner which would have been described as miraculous if it wasn’t Ayrton Senna’s doing, he inched home by two seconds. Physically and mentally exhausted, the hometown hero needed assistance exiting his McLaren cockpit.
Broken, but not beaten.
Read full piece below:
Ayrton Senna’s dazzling genius endures – but where’s the next Brazilian F1 star?
Lewis Hamilton ‘counting down days’ to end of season after another poor race
16:22 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton said he is “counting down the days” until the end of the season after he finished a distant seventh in Saturday’s shortened race in Brazil.
Max Verstappen took his fourth sprint victory from six this year after he beat pole-sitter Lando Norris to the opening bend. Norris finished runner-up, 4.2 seconds adrift, with Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez third.
Performances at the previous two rounds had afforded Hamilton and Mercedes hope that they are closing the gap to Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team. But on Saturday, they were dealt a reality check.
See full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton ‘counting down days’ to end of season after another poor race
Drivers parade!
16:14 , Kieran Jackson
Quite the scene at Interlagos as the drivers are paraded around the Interlagos track!
A very disgruntled Daniel Ricciardo after coming home an agonising ninth in the sprint race:
16:06 , Kieran Jackson
"🤬🤬🤬 Sorry guys" 📻
No holding back from Daniel Ricciardo on that radio message 👀 pic.twitter.com/g7WK0bw86z— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 4, 2023
What is the starting grid for Sunday’s grand prix?
15:59 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Lance Stroll
4) Fernando Alonso
5) Lewis Hamilton
6) Lando Norris
7) Carlos Sainz
8) George Russell*
9) Sergio Perez
10) Oscar Piastri
11) Nico Hulkenberg
12) Kevin Magnussen
13) Alex Albon
14) Esteban Ocon*
15) Pierre Gasly*
16) Yuki Tsunoda
17) Daniel Ricciardo
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Logan Sargeant
20) Zhou Guanyu
*Russell, Ocon and Gasly all received two-place grid penalties for impeding in qualifying
Constructors’ standings after sprint race on Saturday:
15:47 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 745 points (champions)
2) Mercedes - 378 points
3) Ferrari - 354 points
4) McLaren - 263 points
5) Aston Martin - 236 points
6) Alpine - 101 points
7) Williams - 28 points
8) AlphaTauri - 19 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
10) Haas - 12 points
Aston Martin chief reacts after poor run of form: ‘Lawrence is not happy’
15:35 , Kieran Jackson
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack revealed owner Lawrence Stroll “is not happy” with the F1 team’s current run of form.
Aston were the surprise package at the start of the season, consistently the second quickest team on the grid behind Red Bull with Fernando Alonso claiming five podiums in the first six races.
However, the team’s performance has declined since the summer break and they have dropped from P2 in the constructors’ championship to P5, with Mercedes, Ferrari and now McLaren all overtaking them.
Full quotes below:
‘Lawrence is not happy’: Aston Martin chief reacts to poor run of form
Ayrton Senna’s dazzling genius endures – but where’s the next Brazilian F1 star?
15:15 , Kieran Jackson
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
For a career as distinguished as three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna’s, his record at his home race was peculiarly underwhelming. Having made his debut in 1984 and tasted disqualification while leading in 1988, Sao Paulo’s favourite son only claimed his first victory at Interlagos in 1991. And, like much in the Brazilian’s enthralling time in F1, it was no easy ride.
Starting on pole, Senna’s path to victory seemed nailed on until a late gearbox issue forced him to complete the final laps solely in sixth gear. With the heavens having opened too, a stall or a spin seemed excruciatingly inevitable but somehow, in a manner which would have been described as miraculous if it wasn’t Ayrton Senna’s doing, he inched home by two seconds. Physically and mentally exhausted, the hometown hero needed assistance exiting his McLaren cockpit.
Broken, but not beaten.
Read full piece below:
Ayrton Senna’s dazzling genius endures – but where’s the next Brazilian F1 star?
Driver Standings after the sprint race on Saturday:
15:08 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 499 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 246 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 222 points
4) Carlos Sainz - 184 points
5) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
6) Lando Norris - 176 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 170 points
8) George Russell - 156 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 87 points
10) Pierre Gasly - 56 points
11) Lance Stroll - 53 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 45 points
13) Alex Albon - 27 points
14) Yuki Tsunoda - 11 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
16) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
17) Daniel Ricciardo - 6 points
18) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
19) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
20) Liam Lawson - 2 points
21) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
Max Verstappen thwarts Lando Norris’ bid for first F1 win in Brazil sprint
15:03 , Kieran Jackson
Sprint race report
Lando Norris’ bid to win for the first time in Formula One was over in the blink of the eye as Max Verstappen claimed another victory in Brazil.
The British driver started from top spot in Saturday’s 24-lap dash to the chequered flag in Interlagos after edging out Verstappen in qualifying.
But Norris, 23, was out-gunned by Verstappen on the short run down to the opening corner to ensure the McLaren man’s wait for a first victory goes on.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen thwarts Lando Norris’s bid for first F1 win in Brazil sprint
What is the starting grid for Sunday’s grand prix?
14:59 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Lance Stroll
4) Fernando Alonso
5) Lewis Hamilton
6) Lando Norris
7) Carlos Sainz
8) George Russell*
9) Sergio Perez
10) Oscar Piastri
11) Nico Hulkenberg
12) Kevin Magnussen
13) Alex Albon
14) Esteban Ocon*
15) Pierre Gasly*
16) Yuki Tsunoda
17) Daniel Ricciardo
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Logan Sargeant
20) Zhou Guanyu
*Russell, Ocon and Gasly all received two-place grid penalties for impeding in qualifying
F1 Brazilian Grand Prix!
14:57 , Kieran Jackson
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix with The Independent!
It’s been Max Verstappen’s weekend again so far - the Dutchman is on pole this afternoon and won the sprint race on Saturday, after overpowering Lando Norris at the start.
Charles Leclerc starts alongside the Red Bull today, followed by the Aston Martin pairing of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
Stay right here for all the build-up and updates - lights out in Interlagos is at 5pm (GMT).
