Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton drove a stunning drive to win the 2021 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix at Sao Paulo’s Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.
While the reigning champion began the race in 10th place, the new engine unit enabled him to battle his way to the top and eventually overtake Max Verstappen, the current champion. Red Bull Racing’s driver took second, just 10.5 seconds after the leader. Fellow Mercedes driver, polesitter Valtteri bottas, came in third, 13.5seconds behind the winner.
Hamilton had problems right from the beginning of the weekend. Hamilton’s Friday qualifying results for Saturday’s qualifying Sprint race were disqualified by Mercedes due to an infraction of regulations regarding his rearwing’s drag-reduction system. He was forced to start Saturday’s qualifying sprint from the rear of the field. However, Hamilton managed to make it to fifth place at the conclusion of the sprint race. Hamilton started the race Sunday at 10th place on the grid due to his new power unit.
Both Bottas & Verstappen started well from the front row, but Verstappen led at the corner. Sergio Perez, a fellow Red Bull driver, also climbed from fourth place on the grid to take second by the end the first lap. Verstappen was third. Hamilton continued to climb the ranks, Bottas following suit. Hamilton passed Perez on lap 19, and was now aiming for Verstappen, the top spot. Perez won the race with the fastest lap, negating Hamilton’s bonus point.
Grand Prix Formula One Brazil 2021
Hamilton was outstripped by Verstappen throughout the race. Around lap 25, Verstappen stopped on lap 26, and Hamilton was there three laps later. Hamilton challenged Verstappen and was then pushed wide going into Turn 4. Stewards noticed but did not investigate. Hamilton tried again to pass Verstappen in the same corner of lap 58, but failed. However, the DRS enabled Hamilton was able to win the lap.
They were followed by a single Bottas, then Perez was in fourth place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the top five.
With 332.5 points, Verstappen remains the leader of the 2021 Drivers Championship after the weekend’s events. Hamilton finishes second, with 318.5 point. Bottas comes third with 203. Mercedes holds the lead in the Constructors’ Championship with 521.5 point, beating Red Bull’s 510.5 and Ferrari’s 287.5.
A special Qatar Grand Prix will be the next race, filling the gap left by the Australian Grand Prix. In 2023 the Qatari Grand Prix will continue to be on the regular calendar.
Mercedes-Benz AMG Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG at the 2021 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix
The complete results for the 2021 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix are below:
1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG
2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +10.496 seconds
3) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-Benz AMG +13.576 seconds
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing +39.940 seconds
5) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +49.517 seconds
6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +51.820 seconds
7) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +1 lap
8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1 lap
9) Fernando Alonso, Alpine +1 lap
10) Lando Norris, McLaren +1 lap
11) Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +1 lap
12) Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo +1 lap
13) George Russell and Williams +1 lap
14) Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo +1 lap
15) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +1 lap
16) Nicholas Latifi and Williams +1 lap
17) Nikita Mazepin, Haas +2 laps
18) Mick Schumacher, Haas +2 laps
NC) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren DNF
NC) Lance Stroll Aston Martin DNF
