As we near the conclusion of what has been a particularly dominant season for Max Verstappen, the drama at Interlagos provided plenty of excitement and surprises for Formula 1 enthusiasts worldwide.
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, fondly known as Autódromo de Interlagos, is known for its counterclockwise layout and challenging corners.
From standout performances to unexpected setbacks, let’s dive into how the drivers fared at this iconic venue.
Top of the class:
Lando Norris – Qualifying: 7th | Shootout: 1st | Sprint: 2nd | Race: 2nd
Lando Norris has been left a tad frustrated with some small mistakes in qualifying at the last few race weekends. And Sunday’s starting position wasn’t exactly what he’d hoped for either. But, hey, he made amends by snagging pole position in the shootout and secured a solid second place in the sprint. Admittedly, he wasn’t in Verstappen’s league, but who is these days, right?
Come race day, Norris shot off the grid from sixth like a bullet, slotting into second place. He was the only driver able to stay within touching distance of the machine that’s Max Verstappen. It might not be the win the Brit so craves, but a fifth podium in six Grand Prix and another Driver of the Day accolade is still a pretty fabulous return.
He was by far the closest thing to a challenger Max Verstappen has had in a race this year. Verstappen may have had the upper hand with strategy, but it was refreshing to see him facing a bit of heat for once.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso – Qualifying: 4th | Shootout: 14th | Sprint: 11th | Race: 3rd
Lance Stroll – Qualifying: 3rd | Shootout: 17th | Sprint: 12th | Race: 5th
Aston Martin made a long-awaited comeback in Brazil after a mid-season slump which left them struggling for speed and reliability. Opting to ditch the problematic upgraded floor from Austin, the team bounced back with a vengeance.
Lance Stroll had a solid performance, closely matched with Alonso in qualifying and securing a grid position ahead of him for only the second time this season. So he certainly deserves kudos for that.
Alonso’s late-race duel with Sergio Pérez stole the spotlight, highlighting the Spaniard’s versatility in both attacking and defending. The electrifying contest culminated in a photo finish, with Alonso edging out Pérez by a mere 0.053 seconds as they crossed the finish line.
This resurgence marks a significant turnaround for Aston Martin, with Alonso clinching his first podium since Zandvoort and his eighth of the season.
The honourable mention of the day goes to Red Bull. This was a victory Verstappen had to work a bit harder for than has often been the case in 2023, which makes his victory no less impressive but the race much more exciting.
His teammate Pérez demonstrated a promising pace, staying within striking distance of Verstappen during practice and qualifying. However, a miscalculation during Q3 disrupted his momentum, leaving him to start from ninth on the grid. Despite his trademark charge through the field, Perez fell short of securing a podium finish. The battle with Alonso in the closing laps provided a dramatic spectacle, yet it’s one that Perez should have capitalised on given the capabilities of his car.
The Struggle Bus:
Charles Leclerc – Qualifying: 2nd | Shootout: 7th | Sprint: 5th | Race: DNS
Charles Leclerc’s weekend kicked off on a high note, snagging second place on the grid and setting the stage for a strong showing. However, his hopes were dashed before the race even began when technical gremlins struck during the formation lap.
It’s like Leclerc’s broken a few mirrors or something with the amount of bad luck he’s been having lately. The guy’s talent deserves better than a frequent seat on the struggle bus.
This unfortunate incident once again brought attention to the persistent reliability issues haunting Ferrari’s SF-23, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to their competitors.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton – Qualifying: 5th | Shootout: 5th | Sprint: 7th | Race: 8th
George Russell – Qualifying: 6th | Shootout: 4th | Sprint: 4th | Race: DNF
The Silverstone-based team endured a challenging triple-header, with Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification in Austin followed by a lacklustre performance in Brazil. The only silver lining was their promising showing in Mexico City sandwiched in between.
Expectations were high for Mercedes at Interlagos, especially considering their strong performance at the same venue last year where they won both the Sprint and GP. However, their pace was lacking in the Sprint, as both Hamilton and Russell struggled with tyre wear.
The team’s fortunes took a slight turn when Charles Leclerc retired before the race, preventing further points loss to Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship battle for runner-up. Unfortunately, Mercedes failed to rectify their issues for the Grand Prix, with both drivers struggling and reliability problems plaguing George Russell, leading to his retirement due to ‘high and worsening PU oil temperatures.’
The dishonourable mention of the day falls to Alfa Romeo, whose optimism at Interlagos quickly turned into disappointment. Despite high hopes for a strong performance, the team suffered their first double DNF of the season, leaving them empty-handed for the third consecutive race weekend.
After a brief hiatus to catch our breath, the F1 circus is set to roll into Las Vegas. November 18th marks the return of Formula One to the iconic city, with the first race since the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix. The question remains, amid the glitz and glamour, who will roll the dice in their favour? Be sure to tune in for all the action, with a 6 am lights out on Sunday, or catch our comprehensive report cards afterwards if you don’t fancy the early alarm.
