Brazilian GP: Max Verstappen Turned the Tide At Interlagos

 

As chaotic and drenching as the Brazilian Grand Prix final may be, it was the race for Max Verstappen to put his stamp on for his first victory since Spanish GP. Likewise, and quite unlikely, it was Estaban Ocon, who seized the dramatic scenes of car skidding of the grid to make his his first podium finish of his first career in second place as Alpine made double podium finish with Pierce Gasly in third. 

It was quite an unpleasant condition at interlagos, but not such that is not peculiar to F1 Grand Prix, as the race track was cdrenched in rain water, leaving drivers with a terrible surface to drive on. Skidding off track was a common scene during the race even with wet tyres on. Though the race was Red flag when it was unbearable, it was yet not dry after the race returned. 

In this race, pace was not the winning trick but how good drivers could keep their cars track in the wet and foggy conditions of the circuit. Lando Norris was unfortunate in these conditions, skidding off the track on Lap 39 for Verstappen speed by to move up the ranks and later overtook Ocon to lead the race to victory. Bear in mind, that Verstappen started in P17 despite qualifying in P12 following the 5-place penalty served him over his  for changing his car internal combustion engine outside what he allocation is. 

Norris had enjoyed a splendid race at the Sprint race and also at the qualifying session both of which he won. Having won the Sprint race, he stood the chance to narrow his deficit to Verstappen even further. Meanwhile, Red Bull had face a mix bag of situations over the weekend. From the penalty handed down to the Dutch driver to failing to make Q3 at the qualifying session, all these further dealtcast shadows over his prospect in the final. 

Furthermorer, the qualifying session was suspended over heavy downpours, and when drivers returned to the tarmac, they yet had a wet condition to deal with. Regardless, McLaren did impressively well in a session that witnessed shocking eliminations amongst which was Verstappen's in Q2 and Lewis Hamilton dropping out in Q1. At least, six red flags was issued during the session over car spinning off track to crash into the walls.

Contrary to expectations, McLaren duo could not make most of the wet condition like they did in the earlier stages of the Grand Prix. Norris finished in sixth and that dealt a setback to his F1 title race against Verstappen, who has now extended his lead by 63 points. 

Having at Interlagos, apparently Norris can not stand a chance to F1 Championship race otherwise he will have to win the remaining three races with Verstappen finishing below top five. Unless that, the Red Bull driver is on course to his fourth F1 title in Abu Dhabi.