Max Verstappen also won in Sao Paulo. © APA/afp / NELSON ALMEIDA

Verstappen wins, but everyone talks about Ferrari and Mercedes

Red Bull Racing has set another Formula 1 record at the Brazilian Grand Prix. With Max Verstappen's success in Sao Paulo, the Austrian-British racing team equalized the record number of victories within a season.

05 November 2023

From: apa/dl

Only Mercedes had previously achieved 19 within one calendar year in the 2016 season. For Verstappen, who won on Sunday ahead of McLaren driver Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin, it was the 17th victory of the season.

It was mainly about tire management, explained Verstappen. “We were good on every tire, we gained a small lead,” explained the now 52-time Grand Prix winner. The Dutchman overtook four-time world champion Alain Prost in the leaderboard. With Lewis Hamilton (103), Michael Schumacher (91) and Sebastian Vettel (53), there are only three all-time greats ahead of him. “At the high speeds you had to concentrate, but luckily it worked today,” emphasized Verstappen.

“Second place is the best we can achieve at the moment.” Lando Norris

“Second place is the best we can achieve at the moment. Max always seemed to have an answer for everything,” said second-place Norris. “To be honest, it couldn’t have gone much better.” Alonso said: “A phenomenal result for the team! We struggled for a few races, two retirements, but this is for them.”

Restart after crash

A crash occurred just a few seconds after the scheduled start of the Grand Prix. Alexander Albon lost control of his Williams after contact and took Kevin Magnussen in the Haas with him. There was then a lot of rubble on the race track. A little later the race was stopped with a red flag. Around half an hour later there was a second standing start, which went off without any turbulence.

The podium: Verstappen wins ahead of Norris (left) and Alonso (right). © ANSA / Sebastiao Moreira

Verstappen maintained the lead from pole position, followed by Norris, Alonso and the two Mercedes of Hamilton and George Russell, who had triumphed in Brazil the previous year. However, the “Silver Arrows” had problems maintaining the pace in the chasing group and soon had to let Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll overtake them. Things got even worse later: Hamilton had to settle for eighth place and Russell retired.

Mercedes disappointed

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff called the W14’s performance over the weekend “inexcusable”. “I can only feel for the two of them that they have to drive such a miserable thing,” said the Viennese. “The car drove almost as if it were on three wheels rather than four.” He stated: “This car doesn't deserve to win a race. We have to push in the last two races and see that we can somehow come back.”

“I can only feel for the two of them that they have to drive such a pathetic thing.” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff

At the front, Verstappen and Norris controlled the action, the Dutchman putting a comfortable lead between his car and the McLaren. Meanwhile, Alonso, who was at a respectful distance behind, tried to keep Perez at bay. On the penultimate lap, the Mexican overtook the Spaniard, who regained third place one lap later and saved a 53 thousandths of a second lead at the finish. It was Alonso's first podium finish after second place in Zandvoort in September.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes couldn't get going. © ANSA / ISAAC FONTANA

“For me it was 30 laps in which I had the pressure of 'Checo'. When he overtook me with two laps to go, I thought the podium was gone,” Alonso said afterwards. Perez at least increased the championship lead over Hamilton to 32 points.

On the first introductory lap, Charles Leclerc left the race after his Ferrari broke down. “I lost the hydraulics. Why am I so unlucky?” complained Leclerc over the team radio after he backed into the guardrails. He had to abandon the race before it began. Teammate Carlos Sainz saved sixth place for Ferrari behind fifth place Stroll. Yuki Tsunoda placed his AlphaTauri in ninth place.

The result in Brazil

1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull 1:56:48,894 hours; 2. Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren +8,277 seconds; 3. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Aston Martin +34,155; 4. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull +34,208; 5. Lance Stroll (Canada) – Aston Martin +40,845; 6. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spain) – Ferrari +50,188; 7. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpine +56,093; 8. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +1:02,859 min.; 9. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) – Alpha Tauri +1:09,880; 10. Esteban Ocon (France) – Alpine + 1 round;