14/11/2021
NEWS STORY
Fate, luck, superstition or mere coincidence, it is a fact that that the previous two Grands Prix that compromised Sprint weekends saw controversial collisions involving title protagonists Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
First there was Silverstone, when the Briton was penalised - but still won - the British Grand Prix following his clash with the Red Bull driver on the opening lap, while at Monza both were eliminated in an equally infamous coming together, this time at the first chicane.
Unlike some sections of the media we do not want such controversy today, we want to see a thrilling but clean race, which sees victory go to the fastest and bravest.
By the same token, as the war of words continues between Toto Wolff and Christian Horner, we want to see the titles decided on track, not in some anonymous courtroom long after the season has ended, for, as is so often the case in legal proceedings, in such cases the only real winners are the lawyers.
Of course, Liberty Media will be salivating at the prospect of another headline-grabbing clash, for such is the way the sport is heading it fits in perfectly with the sport's new agenda, for which one needs look no further than Netflix's Drive to Survive series, which finally delivers the 'high octane soap opera' F1's stakeholders have craved.
We used to laugh at the late, great Mike Lawrence's reporting on the efforts of Turk Thrust and the infamous Formula One Script Unit, but increasingly 'The Doctor's' legendary creation is becoming more and more real.
While no fans of the Sprint, yesterday's performance by Hamilton was something we shall be talking about for some time, however, if we hear one complaint of "dirty air" or "I can't get closer" from the world champion today we shall scream.
Having failed to capitalise yesterday, Red Bull must learn from its lesson today, in much the same way Verstappen turned things around at Silverstone, before it all went wrong.
Other than dealing with Bottas, Red Bull will need Perez to pass Sainz as quickly as possible, whilst fending off the threat from Norris, Leclerc, Gasly and Co.
Verstappen fluffed it yesterday, not least in his choice of tyre, but the Dutchman usually learns from his lesson.
Meanwhile, a few rows back Hamilton will be seeking to get in the mix as soon as possible. That said, despite starting from the back yesterday, today his task is all the more difficult, for whilst he's sizing up the likes of Vettel, Ocon and Gasly, he will be in the midst of the minefield that is the midfield where no prisoners are taken.
As they head to towards the first corner and the Senna Esses that follow, the likes of Ricciardo, Alonso, Giovinazzi, Stroll and Latifi won't give a fig about Hamilton's title only their own ambitions to score and those of their teams.
While last week proved that races can be won at the first corner, Hamilton will need to avoid the heroics this afternoon, certainly on the opening lap, for as Toto Will gladly tell him a DNF would be catastrophic.
As we know, it is the constructor standings that decide who gets what from the prize pot, consequently as McLaren battles Ferrari for third and AlphaTauri and Alpine go head-to-head over 'best of the rest', Hamilton's title ambitions will mean nothing.
We have been increasingly impressed by Sainz this season, the Spaniard having given Leclerc a race for his money. Indeed, one cannot help but feel that in Carlos, deep down Helmut Marko must realise - a little like Gasly - that the Spaniard is the one he let slip away.
Having messed up 'big time' seven days ago, this afternoon Bottas has the chance to make amends, however whether he does so remains to be seen. There is increasing speculation suggesting the Finn feels let down by Mercedes, and in many ways he has every right to feel this way. However like Verstappen at Red Bull and Leclerc at Ferrari, teams have their chosen sons, in the Black Arrows case it is Lewis. Much like Irvine, Barrichello and Massa at Ferrari all those years ago, they knew what they were getting into.
Better to prove to a team that you are a winner and nobody's "wingman" than to suggest they were right all along.
Given that drivers have a free choice on tyres - one of the few benefits of the Sprint weekend in our humble opinion - all three compounds can play a key role today.
The fastest strategy should be a two-stopper but a lot will depend on track temperature, though the weather should be a little warmer.
On Saturday, the soft and medium tyres showed similar performance but higher levels of wear than expected. On paper, a two-stopper using the medium followed by two sets hards should be the fastest option.
Another possibility - really close in terms of overall race time - is to use all three compounds, starting on the medium and then using the hard for the central stint, before finishing on the softs.
However, a one-stop is another possibility. This could be medium to hard, to benefit from a long opening stint and gain track position, or alternatively soft to hard, though this would require more management, with the cars full of fuel at the start of the race.
A change of rear wing sees Raikkonen set to start from the back of the grid, however as he only 'qualified' 18th this won't come as too much of an imposition. Indeed, should there be any first corner shenanigans he would probably avoid them.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out, it is bright and sunny and noticeably warmer than yesterday which is going to seriously affect tyre deg. Indeed, air temperature is 23.9 degrees C, while the track temperature is 55 degrees, compared to 37 at the start of the Sprint.
Even in the moments before the formation lap, Wolff and Horner are arguing about work that is alleged to have been carried out on Verstappen's rear wing, work which the Briton denies.
Ahead of the formation lap we see that all are starting on the mediums bar Tsunoda who is on softs. However, Vettel (9th) is the first starter on used mediums, and he's ahead of Hamilton.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
The grid forms.
They're away! Bottas and Verstappen both get away well, and while Verstappen has the inside for Turn 1 Bottas has the inside for Turn 2. However, the Red Bull driver gets just ahead as the Finn runs a little wide.
Losing traction, Bottas not only loses ground to Verstappen but allows Perez to close. Into Turn 4, Bottas runs wide and Perez is through, while behind the Ferrari pair also run wide.
Meanwhile, Norris went off at Turn 1 after an opportunist move on Sainz off the line which saw the pair touch wheels.
"Yeh, let's go," says Verstappen as he leaves Bottas in his wake. Meanwhile, Hamilton is up to seventh.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Perez, Bottas, Leclerc, Sainz, Vettel, Hamilton, Gasly, Ricciardo and Ocon.
Hamilton did well to get ahead of much of the midfield mayhem at the start, for behind him Gasly, Ricciardo and Ocon are involved in a frantic battle for position.
"Might just be a puncture," reports Norris, "I'll try to get back."
As Norris arrives back at the pits, switching to hards, Hamilton, having made short work of Vettel, is all over Sainz. Indeed, the Briton nails the Ferrari heading into Turn 1.
Meanwhile, Tsunoda and Stroll clash in the Esses as the Japanese makes a reckless move on the Aston Martin.
Hamilton subsequently passes the second Ferrari of Leclerc, and as he sets about closing the 1.7s gap to his Mercedes teammate, Verstappen has built a 1.3s lead.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.
Bottas moves aside for his teammate as instructed as Tsunoda pits for a new front wing.
As he sets about closing the 3.2s gap to Perez, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (14.172). Raikkonen is up to 17th.
The safety car is deployed on Lap 6 as debris is removed from the track following the clash at the Esses involving Tsunoda and Stroll.
As the debris - Tsunoda's front wing - is cleared, the Safety Car leads the field through the pitlane.
Stroll expresses fears that his car has been damaged in that clash with Tsunoda.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of lap 9, "tyres are on the hot side," says Hamilton.
They're away again, Verstappen maintains his lead while Perez holds station behind. A minor lock-up from one of the Ferraris as they pressurise Bottas.
As the stewards reveal they will investigate the Tsunoda/Stroll clash, the Japanese passes Latifi for 17th.
Schumacher has his front wing stuck underneath the front of his car, the result of a clash with Raikkonen.
The VSC is deployed in order the debris can be removed.
Schumacher pits at the end of lap 11 for a new wing. Hamilton remains right on the tail of Perez' Red Bull.
Following his first lap incident, Norris is up to 15th.
The VSC is withdrawn on lap 14, Hamilton seemingly caught napping as Perez pulls away.
Tsunoda is given a 10s penalty for causing a collision.
"Get Max to give me DRS," urges Perez as he seeks to fend off Hamilton.
A brilliant, bold and so bloody brave move sees Hamilton go around the outside of Perez in Turn 1. However, on the long run to Turn 4 the Mexican retakes the place. The crowd cheering both moves with equal gusto.
Next time around Hamilton does it again. This time however, Hamilton has more of an advantage and is able to pull away from Perez.
This means that Hamilton is 3.9s down on his title foe after just 18 laps.
"I'm sure something happened to my car," complains Raikkonen.
As Bottas closes on Perez, Leclerc remains 5th, ahead of Sainz, Gasly, Ricciardo, Vettel and Ocon.
Previously, Vettel had passed the Australian only for the McLaren driver to retake the position moments later. Teammate Norris is up to 14th.
"We've got the upper hand in the middle sector," Verstappen is told, "just straight-line deficits to Hamilton."
Stroll pits at the end of lap 22, the first driver to make a scheduled stop. He rejoins in 19th.
In 20th, Schumacher is already being shown blue flags as Verstappen closes in.
The gap between the title protagonists remains a static 4s, with Perez 3s behind and appearing to pull away from Bottas as we appear to be entering a tyre management stage.
"Rears are moving around a lot," warns Hamilton following a moment in Turn 10.
"Starting to slide a bit more now," echoes Verstappen.
Gasly pits at the end of lap 25, rejoining in 15th on hards.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 26, the Briton switching to hards and rejoining in 6th, as Sainz also stops. The Spaniard rejoins in 13th.
Next time around Verstappen responds, as does Leclerc. The Dutchman rejoins in third, ahead of Ricciardo who is immediately passed by Hamilton.
Leclerc rejoins in 9th.
Worth noting that none of the front runners have used the hards previously this weekend.
Perez pits at the end of lap 28, as Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (13.364). Vettel and Raikkonen also pit.
Meanwhile, Norris and Sainz are battling wheel-to-wheel again.
As Gasly makes a great move on Norris for 10th, Hamilton posts another fastest lap (13.162).
The VSC is deployed again as Stroll shed some debris on the pit straight.
At which pint Bottas pits, as do Ricciardo and Ocon. The Finn rejoins in 3rd ahead of Perez.
"We can't let ourselves be undercut again," warns Verstappen.
As the VSC is withdrawn, after 31 laps, Verstappen leads Hamilton, Bottas, Perez, Alonso, Leclerc, Sainz, Gasly, Ricciardo and Norris, though Alonso has yet to stop.
No sooner has Verstappen posted a new fastest lap (13.155) than Bottas responds with a 13.002.
"We are on Plan B, Plan B," Vettel is told.
"You're 3/10ths quicker in the middle sector," Verstappen is told, "just straight-line deficit."
Russell passes Stroll for 14th.
Schumacher is told he'll be going to the end on his current tyres, as Alonso finally pits. The Spaniard rejoins in 14th, behind Russell.
A nice move in Turn 1 sees Ocon pass Tsunoda for tenth.
Norris makes his second stop of the day at the end of lap 37, the Briton rejoining in 17th behind Raikkonen.
Meanwhile, Vettel is battling Tsunoda for 10th, as Alonso keeps a watching eye. The German finally makes his move and Alonso follows through also, Tsunoda losing two places in the blink of an eye.
"If we were to stop again what tyre would you prefer?" Hamilton is asked. "The colour on my switch," he mysteriously replies.
Tsunoda pits and in the process serves his 10s penalty.
Verstappen makes his second stop at the end of lap 40, however, he heads back on to the track behind the slow Williams of Latifi.
Next time around it is Bottas that stops, as Mercedes opts to leave Hamilton out. The Finn rejoins in fifth behind Leclerc.
Bottas isn't entirely happy with the strategy.
Stroll passes Russell who subsequently pits.
Perez pits at the end of lap 42, the Mexican rejoining in 5th, 3.8s down on Leclerc, who has been passed by Bottas.
As Hamilton pits, Verstappen asks: "How do you want me to approach this?" "Look after the tyre," he is told.
Hamilton rejoins in second, 2.7s down on Verstappen with 27 laps remaining.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.
However, Hamilton isn't happy with the tyre choice. "No, no I asked you to... ugh!" meaning he wanted mediums as opposed to the hards he was given. However, he is told there was too much wear to the mediums.
"We've just thrown away an easy 1-2," moans Bottas.
"Is the undercut not powerful," asks Hamilton as he posts a new fastest lap (12.135). He subsequently posts 11.982.
On lap 48, Hamilton makes his move going into Turn 4, as both run wide in the process, the Dutchman holding on to his lead.
The incident is noted by the stewards.
Hamilton is told that the incident has been noted.
Elsewhere, Stroll has driven into his garage to retire.
"Things are heating up at the front, there might be penalties coming," Bottas is told.
"Stop in front of our garage and engine off," Ricciardo is told. He duly obliges to become the second retirement in as many laps.
"Michael, that is all about letting them race," Red Bull's sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley very politely informs race director, Michael Masi.
Indeed, no investigation necessary agree the stewards.
Leclerc makes his second stop on lap 52, rejoining in 6th, as Raikkonen also stops.
"No investigation necessary for running you off track," Hamilton is told. "I thought so," he replies.
Mercedes sporting director, Ron Meadows admits his disbelief to Michael Masi, who is left unmoved.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 56, the German rejoining in 11th,
On lap 58, having eased off for a few laps, Hamilton mounts another attack, again at Turn 4. However, he fails to pull it off.
However, at the end of the lap he pushes Verstappen hard into Turn 1 and through the Esses and is able to pass the Red Bull on the run to Turn 4. The crowd roars... as it does a lot this weekend.
Meanwhile, Verstappen is shown the black and white flag for previously weaving on the straight.
In no time at all, Hamilton is 2s up the road.
Elsewhere, Gasly and Ocon somehow avoid contact as they battle for 8th in Turn 1 and into the Esses. The AlphaTauri driver comes out on top.
"Valtteri, go get him," Wolff urges Bottas who is 8.9s down on Verstappen.
Having sorted out Ocon, Gasly makes short work of Alonso to claim 7th.
Told of the black and white flag, Verstappen dryly responds: "Perfect, say hi!"
Meanwhile, McLaren reveals that Ricciardo's retirement was power unit related.
No such issues for Hamilton who is now 4.7s ahead of his title rival.
A mistake in S2 for Hamilton, however he maintains 6.3s lead.
"Where's Valtteri," asks Hamilton as he begins the 69th lap (of 71).
Shortly after, Perez pits, and switching to softs the intention is clear. He rejoins still in fourth.
As it stands, Hamilton has fastest lap (11.982) and the point that goes with it.
As Hamilton begins his final lap, 10s clear of Verstappen, smoke fills the air as fans start letting off fireworks.
He takes the flag, with Verstappen second, ahead of Bottas, Perez - who indeed posts fastest lap (11.010) - Leclerc, Sainz, Gasly, Ocon, Alonso and Norris.
Vettel is eleventh, ahead of Raikkonen, Russell, Giovinazzi, Tsunoda, Latifi, Mazepin and Schumacher.
A momentous victory for Hamilton and Mercedes and one which will have hit Red Bull hard.
However, with three races remaining, and an eye on those continuing engine issues and the power deg that Toto Wolff admitted to the other day, I would be foolish to say that this is done and dusted.
Today, Verstappen lost out to the straight-line speed of the Mercedes and the obvious red mist factor that has fired up the German team and its star driver since Friday.
Despite today's win, Verstappen maintains his championship lead, however it is the psychological impact that will hurt most.
This is turning out to be a real championship battle, in the true sense of the word, for one only has to look at Toto Wolff's reaction when Hamilton took the lead to see how much this meant to him and his team.
Meanwhile the war of words will continue, given fresh impetus not only by the rear wing issue but Verstappen's questionable defence during today's race.
Soap opera or not it's certainly grabbing out attention.
"The start was quite tricky," admits Bottas, "I'm disappointed with the start and the first lap.
"Towards the end the pace was okay," he adds. "I thought we could have done a one-stop quite easily.
"Lewis did an amazing job today."
"We were just missing a bit of pace but we gave it our all and had fun," adds Verstappen, who reminds of the line about... if you're having fun, let your face show it.
"We still have a good points lead, today was a bit of damage limitation," he insists. "The coming races we'll bounce back."
"What a race," says Hamilton in a masterpiece of understatement. "The team did an amazing job, Valtteri did a great job.
"I was pushing as hard as I could," he continues. "From last on the grid, and then another five place penalty... I think that's the hardest weekend I've had. Things kept going against us, but it just shows... never give up, keep fighting. Never, ever stop fighting.
"It feels like the first win," he grins.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Interlagos, here.