03/11/2024
NEWS STORY
This morning's incident filled qualifying session has already claimed its first 'victim', with Williams announcing that Alex Albon will be unable to take part in this afternoon's race.
"After assessing the extensive damage sustained to Alex's car, the required repairs could not be completed in the short window of time between qualifying and the race," said the Grove outfit. "The team is therefore forced to withdraw Alex's car for the remainder of the Grand Prix."
"It's a heart-breaking day for the team," admitted James Vowles. "We're here to go racing and nobody wants to be in this situation.
"The most important point is that all the drivers who had incidents in qualifying are okay, including Alex and Franco.
"Despite the best efforts of our hard-working, talented and resilient team, there simply was not enough time to repair Alex's car in time for the Grand Prix. It's a bitter pill to swallow at the end of a tough triple-header, especially when both drivers showed tremendous pace this morning. We will focus on maximising this afternoon with Franco and putting on a show for the incredible fans here in Brazil."
There is still no word from Aston Martin as to whether Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso will be starting the race, while Carlos Sainz is set to start from the pitlane as additional power unit elements have been used.
Thus far it's been a crazy weekend... qualifying taking place this morning, five red flags, the RBs qualifying third and fifth and neither Red Bull making in into Q3, and with the craziness set to continue we're going to go with the flow, take it as it comes as see what happens rather than make predictions.
Air temperature is 22 degrees, while the track temperature is 27 degrees, and what do ya know... it's raining.
The pitlane opens and Norris leads the way, followed by Zhou, Bottas, Sainz and Tsunoda.
"It's clearing up a bit now," reports Hulkenberg, "it's pretty bright actually." The German subsequently runs wide in Turn 12.
While it is anticipated that there will be a further downpour around 25 laps into the race, as conditions look set to improve in the short term the big question is when drivers might make the switch to slicks.
"We are going to do everything we can," says Christian Horner, "we obviously got unlucky earlier but in a race like this anything can happen so just need to stay on your toes."
Ahead of the formation lap, though it has stopped raining, Race Control advises that there is a 100% chance of further rainfall.
"We are expecting more rain twenty minutes into the race," Bearman is told, "then a fairly short period when it is not raining, then much heavier rain after that."
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
Stroll is off at Turn 4 on the formation lap. Replay shows he locked-up under braking. He is stuck in the gravel... and after all that hard work by his crew. "I'm beached," he says as he climbs from the car.
Meanwhile Norris is on the grid and Sainz is waiting in the pitlane.
The start is aborted.
The field heads off on another formation lap, though a number of drivers, including Verstappen, remain on the grid confused as to what exactly is happening.
The grid forms (again) however there is a long wait as those drivers that remained behind catch up.
"This mess was caused from the front," Verstappen is told as Race Control confirms that the (third) formation lap will take place in ten minutes.
Norris has been noted for a starting procedure infringement, namely that he led the field on an extra formation lap when they should have remained on the grid.
Of course, this delay might hold up the start... but it isn't delaying the rain clouds.
Indeed, Leclerc is told that the rain is ten minutes away.
They head off on the third formation lap.
Norris leads the way, but by the time Zhou leaves the grid the McLaren driver is already at Turn 12.
The grid forms.
They're away! Heading into Turn 1 Russell leads Norris - the McLaren having initially made the better start but losing out in phase two - with Ocon, Tsunoda and Lawson almost three abreast behind.
Through Turn 2 Lawson attempts to go around his teammate and Ocon but loses ground and is passed by Leclerc.
On the run to Turn 4, the New Zealander is under pressure from Piastri and Alonso. The RB has the edge in Turn 4, while Alonso continues to battle Piastri. As the RB and McLaren pull ahead Alonso falls into the clutches of Gasly. That said, the Frenchman is under pressure from Hamilton and Verstappen.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Russell, Norris, Tsunoda, Ocon, Leclerc, Lawson, Piastri, Alonso, Gasly and Hamilton. As Verstappen passes Hamilton for 10th in Turn 1 at the start of Lap 2, Perez spins but is able to continue.
Under pressure from Colapinto, Hamilton is clearly struggling.
After 2 laps, Russell leads by 1.9s while Verstappen closes on Gasly and Hulkenberg battles his Haas teammate for 13th.
Lap 3 sees a new fastest lap from Norris (25.402) as the skies darken.
"This increased rain intensity will last four or five minutes," Verstappen is told.
Bearman runs wide in Turn 10, after appearing to touch Colapinto, and drops to 17th, as Verstappen nails Gasly in Turn 1.
As Norris closes to within 0.776s of Russell, Tsunoda has dropped 3.1s behind.
Verstappen passes Alonso for 8th.
Along with Norris, Russell, Lawson and Tsunoda have been noted for a starting procedure infringement.
Verstappen's next target is Piastri.
As Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (24.311), Norris drops 1.1s behind the race leader.
Bearman gets 10s penalty for causing a collision with Colapinto.
"The ride is really bad," reports Hamilton, "the car is bouncing so much."
At the start of Lap 11, Verstappen passes Piastri with absolute ease, taking his favourite line down the inside in Turn 1.
Next up for Verstappen is potential 2025 teammate Lawson in the 'sister' RB.
Verstappen passes the New Zealander and sets off after Leclerc who is 2.6s up the road.
Hamilton runs wide in Turn 12 and shortly after rejoining the track is passed by Colapinto, much to the delight of the crowd.
Verstappen goes purple in the first two sectors, posting a new fastest lap (23.430) and closing to within 1.3s of a struggling Leclerc.
The starting procedure will be investigated after the race.
"We expect this rain to last until Lap 30," Piastri is told on Lap 14.
Perez and Bearman get uncomfortably close as they battle for 15th.
As Hamilton harries Colapinto, Verstappen closes on Leclerc who is right behind Ocon.
1.174s ahead of Ocon is Tsunoda, who remains 8.5s behind Norris and is about to become the leader of a DRS-less train.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sao Paulo here.
"We need to get to the rain and make the right tyre call," Norris is told as Bearman has a wobble as he fends off a charging Hamilton.
"The car's not drivable, locking-up, bouncing everywhere," complains Hamilton.
Sainz closes on Colapinto as both Mercedes drivers complain of brake issues.
Verstappen and Leclerc are side-by-side as they enter Turn 1 at the start of Lap 22, but the Monegasque holds his nerve. "He was squeezing me on to the white line," complains Verstappen, who subsequently suffers a nasty little snap.
Sainz goes off in Turn 4 after locking-up and loses a couple of positions.
Ocon has a bite at Tsunoda as frustration gets the better of the Frenchman.
Leclerc pits at the end of Lap 24, the Ferrari driver the first to blink... or rather not, he remains on Inters as he rejoins in 13th.
"Box to overtake at some point," suggests Norris. "We'll think about it," he is told.
He is subsequently told that there is too much traffic.
As Hulkenberg pits, Lawson makes a mistake in Turn 2 and drops to ninth.
As Norris closes on Russell, the rain increases in intensity.
Norris is told that Leclerc emerged in traffic after his stop and cannot do anything about it.
As Ocon passes Tsunoda for third, Hulkenberg is off at Turn 3.
The VSC is deployed.
Piastri and Alonso are first to take advantage and pit, as the rest of the field follows suit.
Both Mercedes drivers have been reported for adjusting their tyre pressures on the grid ahead of the second formation lap.
As the VSC is ending, Russell and Norris pit, as Ocon takes the lead ahead of Verstappen. Tsunoda and Lawson also pit.
Tsunoda and Lawson emerge on full wets, following the example of Perez.
Piastri is given a 10s penalty for causing a collision.
So, after 29 laps, Ocon leads Verstappen and Gasly, as Norris passes Russell for fourth.
As conditions worsen the Safety Car is deployed.
Ocon doesn't pit under the Safety Car, and with the sky looking a little brighter perhaps he's made a wise choice.
Replay shows Lawson and Hamilton banging wheels in Turn 1.
"Rain decreasing in one to two minutes," Ocon is advised. Colapinto, however, pits.
Moments later the Argentine crashes in Turn 13, causing the race to be red-flagged. "I'm OK," he tells his team.
Relay shows that he simply lost it as he applied the throttle as he started up the hill.
"I guess everyone can change tyres for free now," sighs Norris, an obvious reference to his nemesis, Verstappen.
"I said it, I said it," shouts Russell when told of the red flag. "We should have stayed out."
As the field heads into the pits it's: Ocon, Verstappen, Gasly, Norris, Russell, Tsunoda, Leclerc, Piastri, Alonso and Lawson. Hamilton is eleventh, ahead of Bottas, Sainz, Perez, Bearman, Zhou and Hulkenberg.
Talking of the German, he has been noted for continuing after receiving assistance, as have Lawson and Hamilton for that wheel-banging.
Hulkenberg gets the black flag... he's out.
At 16:52 Race Control announces that the race will resume in ten minutes with a rolling start.
Norris is told that at the restart there will be Class 1 - 2 rain for ten minutes then nothing after that.
Zhou heads out in order to un-lap himself. As he heads back up the hill the rest of the field heads out.
"Risky," says Sainz, "these are not new Inters."
The Safety Car withdraws after just one lap, Ocon controls the field. As Ocon lets rip, at the back of the field Bearman goes off as does Zhou.
Norris runs wide in Turn 4 and rejoins alongside Russell, the Mercedes driver holding off the McLaren. Leclerc runs wide in Turn 8 and falls into the clutches of Piastri.
Hamilton passes Alonso for 9th.
On board with Hamilton reveals the total lack of visibility.
As Bearman harries Sainz for 13th, the Briton overdoes it and goes off at Turn 7. However, he is able to continue.
Out front, Ocon leads Verstappen by 3.4s with Gasly a further 4.5s behind, 2.4s ahead of Russell.
Another off for Bearman, this time at Turn 12.
"If the weather stays as it is, it will be these tyres to the end," Norris is told. "So it will be about tyre condition and racing cars on track."
The Safety Car is deployed when Sainz goes off into the barrier at Turn 8 after running over the white line at the edge of the track. Moments later the Spaniard gets going again, before stopping as a result of the damage incurred.
"Anything can happen, still a very, very long way to go," Verstappen is told. "Keep your head down, keep focussed, 29 laps to go."
"There is another band of rain, potential, for the end of the race," Leclerc is advised, while Norris is warned of the danger of the white lines.
The Safety Car is withdrawn, Ocon let's rip but Verstappen nails him in Turn 1. Just behind, Norris goes off in Turn and rejoins in 7th. Alonso and Hamilton both run wide, allowing Lawson to pass both.
Replay shows that Norris was caught out by the Gasly/Leclerc battle in Turn 1 at the restart.
Alonso goes off again at Turn 13 and drops to last, as Perez passes Hamilton.
Verstappen is already 1.6s clear of Ocon, while Norris continues behind his McLaren teammate.
Lap 45 sees a new fastest lap from Verstappen (22.876).
Piastri yields to him McLaren teammate.
Leclerc is noted for rejoining the track unsafely.
Verstappen continues to set a blistering pace, the Dutchman posting another fastest lap (22.453) as he builds a 3.8s lead.
While the Alpine pair revel in the conditions, the RBs have slipped to 8th and 9th, with Perez in hot pursuit.
A string of fastest laps sees Verstappen build a 5.7s lead.
Piastri runs wide in Turn 14 allowing Tsunoda to close and pass the McLaren, only for the New Zealander to retake the position in Turn 1.
"On Lap 60 we expect Class 1 to Class 2 rain to last for about four lap," Norris is warned... on Lap 54.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sao Paulo here.
Lawson is chased by Perez and Hamilton as they battle for 9th. Perez makes a move in Turn 1, but is unable to make it stick.
Next time around the Mexican tries again in Turn 11, they touch wheels as Hamilton looks to pick up the pieces. Perez subsequently runs wide and Hamilton doesn't wait for a written invitation.
"He drove into the side of me," claims Lawson.
Out front, Verstappen leads by 8.6s.
Hamilton runs wide which allows Perez to close in.
Now 10s clear on Ocon, Verstappen doesn't show any sign of easing off as he posts another fastest lap (21.551), then improves with a 21.331.
McLaren wants Norris to get "close to Leclerc" as Piastri has a 10s penalty. "What do you think I'm doing?" asks the Briton. "I'm trying to go as quick as I can."
Piastri is currently seventh, as it stands the ten seconds will drop him to ninth.
Sainz continues to battle Hamilton, but the Briton is having none of it.
"I will finish the race for the mechanics," vows Alonso, "they did a very good job today. But my back is hurting, this bouncing is not normal." The Spaniard is 14th (of 15).
At the other end of the field, Verstappen is a staggering 18s ahead of Ocon.
Verstappen takes the flag and 26 precious points, while Ocon and Gasly claim the remaining podium positions for Alpine.
"It's been a long time coming, but that was worth it, you are the man," GP tells Verstappen.
Behind Verstappen and the Alpines, it's: Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Tsunoda, Piastri, Lawson, Hamilton, Perez, Bearman, Bottas, Alonso and Zhou.
However, there are a number of incidents under investigation, not least that start procedure with Norris and the tyre pressure checks on the Mercedes pair's cars.
"I know how you feel, but you can be very proud," Tsunoda is told.
"Tough weekend for just a point," Hamilton is told. "That was a disaster of a weekend," replies the seven-time world champion, "that's the worst the car has ever been."
"It's incredible for the whole team," grins Gasly, "it's been such a tough season and we have struggled to score points. But two cars on the podium... I don't think anybody had that on their bingo card!
"We started 13th, managed to make 10 positions so I'm absolutely buzzing," he adds. "It would have been easy to give up after a tough season but we never gave up."
"What a day that was after a difficult season," adds teammate Ocon. "I'm very happy to be on the podium, I cannot thank everyone enough.
"The car was extremely difficult in the dry, but I felt at ease when it started to rain. I love it here when it rains, and today it has brought us a special race."
"My emotions today have been a rollercoaster with qualifying being unlucky with the red flag," admits Verstappen.
"But we stayed out of trouble, made the right calls and we were flying.
"It's unbelievable, to win here from so far back on the grid."
A bravura performance from the world champion, and one which was badly needed in the wake of the recent controversies.
An absolute masterclass in terms of wet-weather racing, while his series of fastest lap echoed the relentless spirit of Senna and Schumacher.
A chaotic weekend, and one from which the governing body does not emerge well, but at the end of the day we got a decent race, which, unlike some, will be worth revisiting from time to time.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sao Paulo here.