Sao Paulo Grand Prix – Brazil – Bonus-malus: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) masterclass

The note: 4/5

We followed this race like a thriller. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) were equal to themselves, in the defensive and offensive registers which made their reputation. The duel culminated in the weapon pass of the 55th round, which will go down as a highlight of the season, and of Lewis Hamilton’s career.

The winner: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

After his disqualification on Saturday, it was difficult to see him at the top of the podium this Sunday. More than an overpowered engine, it took a foolproof mind, an incredible calm especially to cut the road without committing the slightest mistake for two days. This is undoubtedly where he was strongest. Annoyances slipped over him.

“Yes of course”, he replied to his engineer who informed him that the dodge of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) on his first place attack on the 48th lap was not worth an investigation. “The next time (lap 55), I had learned the lessons not to make the same mistake again and I was really determined to take his place., he said. It’s difficult to overtake him and I expected no less from him. We didn’t touch each other and that’s what matters. “And added that” that’s what a title battle should look like. “

This 101st was grandiose and he added to it the passionate, emotional stain of his tributes to his idol Ayrton Senna through his helmet, the greetings to the public, and this Brazilian flag that he wore in the re-entry lap and on the podium.

Finally, he brought Red Bull to a little more modesty, she who claimed that this Grand Prix was made for his machine. 14 points gap and constantly thwarted forecasts, Lewis Hamilton works miracles to preserve the suspense.

The beaten: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

He just failed to do what he did in Austin. He maximized his chances by toasting politeness to Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) at the start, but Sergio Pérez could not do the same undermining as in Turkey.

On lap 47, LH44 entered his DRS zone and the pressure became unbearable. “Lewis and I have fought on multiple occasions. I think it was rough racing but good racing, and that’s how it should be.”, said the Dutchman.

The owner: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Frankly disappointed with his performances on Friday and Saturday, the Monegasque made a spectacular recovery to appear as the strong man of Ferrari, for the fourth time in a row. With 44 points scored from Istanbul and 10 top 5 in 2021, he leads the Scuderia straight to third place in the constructors’ championship.

The performer: Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)

We are not afraid to repeat ourselves because the Normand (7th) still finished “best of the others”. Even if he did not get the better of the Ferraris this time.

The Goofer: Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)

In Mexico, he had ruined the qualification of Red Bull by taking the worst place. At Interlagos, he threw himself into turn 1 to smash Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. “The collision with Stroll completely ruined my race, he explained, forgetting that he had pushed the Canadian to abandon. It was a risky maneuver, but he didn’t look in his mirrors. “Listening to him, he made no mistakes, and it makes you wonder why the FIA ​​gave him ten seconds of penalty. No capacity for self-criticism and still 2 points reported from Spa- Francorchamps.

The bonus: the Ocon – Alonso agreement

General manager Laurent Rossi is particularly keen on fifth place among constructors and he has made it an element of judgment for everyone in the team in the restructuring he is leading. Ocon and Alonso are under contract in 2022 and have nothing to fear. Nevertheless, they acted like real pros by exchanging their positions in an attempt to beat Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri). Six points that allow Enstone to stay in the top 5, tied with AlphaTauri.

The penalty: Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)

Monza has been nothing but an enchanting parenthesis, and if the team led by Zak Brown loses their third place (of 2020) in the constructors’ championship, it will be their fault. Ninth in qualifying, 11th in the sprint race, the Australian has to do better than fight against the Alpine Esteban Ocon. A retirement to finish and 31.5 points behind Ferrari now. It does not cost McLaren “a lot” of money (a salary of 10 million euros) but it pays little.

The question: Should Masi open an investigation to sanction Max Verstappen (Red Bull)?

The Dutchman was on the rope from turn 4 on lap 48, half a length ahead of the Mercedes # 44. He therefore had the priority according to the race director, Michael Masi. The Batavian only maintained his position with his entry overspeed, which led to an excursion off the track which carried away his competitor. For that, Masi could have transmitted the file to the commissioners (including the former pilot Vintantonio Liuzzi) for judgment. The fact that there was no damage and that Lewis Hamilton was able to continue hunting his prey counted in the judgment, which ultimately gave priority to action. By doing this, Masi preserved the race and the sequel proved him right.

The number: 2

This is the 2nd time that Lewis Hamilton has won a race without leaving the top 10 after Hockenheim 2018 (18th).

The statement: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

“I didn’t know what was possible but I gave everything and it’s probably one of the best weekends, if not the best, of my career (…) It was certainly one of the most complicated, if not the most complicated, with everything I had to face. And in terms of driving, maybe my best. “