2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Brazil GP sprint to cut Max Verstappen’s F1 lead.
Oscar Piastri obeyed McLaren team orders to gift Lando Norris a Sao Paulo sprint-race victory in a one-two finish that cut Max Verstappen's Formula One lead over his British rival to 45 points on Nov 2.
Nov 02, 2024
The Straits Times

Australian Piastri had started on pole position and led until handing over two laps from the end after Verstappen passed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for third and became an increasing threat. The switch came just in time, with a late virtual safety car period leaving a tense final lap with Piastri finishing 0.593 behind Norris and Verstappen a further 0.904 adrift.

Verstappen was told after the finish that he was under investigation for an alleged virtual safety car infringement that could cost him a five-second penalty and drop him down to fourth. "Oscar deserved it but we're doing what we had to do," said Norris, who started second on the grid.

‘Oscar Piastri obeyed McLaren team orders’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...appens-f1-lead


F1 Brazilian GP 2024 – Sprint Race Results
Oscar Piastri played the team game and allowed Lando Norris to win the Sprint at Interlagos
2 Nov 2024
John Smith
Total Motorsport

The result has reduced Norris’ gap in the drivers’ standings to 45 points, while McLaren extends their lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship to 35 points

F1 2024 Brazilian GP – Sprint Race Results
Check out the final 2024 Brazilian GP Sprint Race results below!

Pos Driver Team Time
1 Lando Norris McLaren Leader
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.593
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull +1.497
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +5.656
5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari +7.224
6 George Russell Mercedes +12.475
7 Pierre Gasly Alpine +18.161
8 Sergio Perez Red Bull +18.717
9 Liam Lawson RB +20.773
10 Alexander Albon Williams +24.606

‘Sprint Race Results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...-race-results/


Piastri hands Norris victory in Interlagos sprint race
2nd Nov 2024
Will Wood
RaceFans

The McLaren pair led through the race. Piastri was ahead for most of the way, but the due swapped places in the closing laps. Verstappen challenged Piastri for second place after a late Virtual Safety Car but was repelled, finishing third behind the two McLarens.

With 17 drivers lining up on the grid and three in the pit lane, all 20 cars in the field were fitted with medium tyres for the sprint race. When the lights went out, pole winner Piastri held the lead into the first corner with team mate Norris slotting into second place behind. Charles Leclerc retained third as Max Verstappen also held fourth place despite a lock up under braking for the first corner.

‘Piastri hands Norris victory’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/11/02/...s-sprint-race/


Lando Norris Wins Brazil GP Sprint Race, Cuts Max Verstappen's F1 Championship Lead To...
Nov 02, 2024
Agence France-Presse
NDTV.com

Lando Norris trimmed two points off Max Verstappen's lead in Formula One's drivers' world championship on Saturday after claiming victory ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The title-chasing Briton took the lead on lap 22 of the 24-lap race, when Piastri swapped positions with him before fending off the challenge of three-time champion Verstappen in his Red Bull.

Verstappen leads Norris by 45 points with four races including Sunday's to come -- and one sprint -- and it could get worse for the Dutch driver. At the finish Verstappen -- who will start with a five-place grid penalty -- was noted for an infringement of the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) rules.

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"It was a tricky race," said Verstappen. "The pace was good and I'm quite pleased with that although it took quite a long time for me to pass Charles (Leclerc) -- I had to wait for a mistake to pass him." He added he would be aiming to 'limit the damage' to his title defence in Sunday's race.

"It was a tricky race";

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/la...ead-to-6929728


Max Verstappen under investigation by FIA as Brazil GP sprint probe launched
2 Nov 2024
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen is under investigation by F1’s governing body the FIA for an alleged Virtual Safety Car breach during the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race. Red Bull star Verstappen finished third in the mini race at Interlagos as F1 2024 title rival Lando Norrs took victory with the help of McLaren team orders.

‘Sprint probe launched’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...gp-sprint-race


Disgruntled Hamilton ‘not bothered’ about Brazilian GP Sprint Race
The Mercedes driver qualified 11th for Saturday's Sprint Race at Interlagos
2 Nov 2024
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

A disgruntled Lewis Hamilton throws in the towel on his F1 2024 Brazilian GP Sprint Race as he insists he’s ‘not bothered’ about making any progress at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on Saturday, November 3.

The Brit struggled once again over one lap as he never really seemed at harmony with his Mercedes car, meaning he was eliminated in Q2 and will start the mini-race from 12th on the grid.

“It is what it is. It’ll be what it’ll be,” Hamilton told F1 TV of the Sprint Race. “I’m not really massively bothered if I’m honest. If I can move forwards in the sprint, great. I’ll try again in qualifying two [Grand Prix qualifying] make some changes to the car and see what we can do.”

‘Not bothered’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...p-sprint-race/

[Fortitude]

Hamilton interrupts Domenicali interview to tell him “you should have sent us out”.
Lewis Hamilton interrupted a live television interview with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to complain about the decision to postpone today’s qualifying session.
2nd Nov 2024
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Domenicali spoke to the official F1 channel after the session was called off, during which Hamilton interrupted to tell him: “You should have sent us out. It’s ridiculous, we should go out,” said the seven-times world champion as he knowingly crashed the interview, smiling as he did so. “I want to go out. If you give us better wet tyres and [tyre] blankets, we’ll be able to run in this. I’m putting you on the spot.”

F1 drivers have repeatedly complained about the quality of F1’s wet weather tyres in recent years. Two wet weather compounds are specified under the rules, the lightly-treaded intermediates and heavily treaded full wets. However drivers have criticised the performance of the latter and often avoid using it wherever possible. Drivers have also expressed concerns over the FIA’s decision to outlaw the use of tyre heating blankets for wet weather tyres. F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli introduced a new wet weather compound last year designed not to require blankets.

“You should have sent us out”;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/11/02/...e-sent-us-out/


Lewis Hamilton interrupts Stefano Domenicali interview to make demand of F1 CEO
Lewis Hamilton has reacted to qualifying being scrapped at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Nov 2, 2024
Fraser Watson
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton has told F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali drivers needed "better wet tyres" after rain ruined qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Following the Saturday sprint race at Interlagos, heavy downpours hit the track, with the initial start time for qualifying moved back on four occasions.

But with the rain showing no sign of relenting, the FIA admitted defeat and abandoned plans for a late start. Qualifying for the Grand Prix will now all take place on Sunday, although no start time has been confirmed with further rain also forecast.

‘Demand of F1 CEO’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-F1-CEO-Brazil


Hamilton teases Domenicali after postponed qualifying: 'Give better tyres'
2 Nov 2024
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

Lewis Hamilton interrupted an interview with Formula 1's CEO Stefano Domenicali and suggested the sport needs better wet tyres. Hamilton jokingly suggested the F1 drivers would've completed qualifying at the wet track in São Paulo if they had better equipment available to them.

'Give better tyres';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31086...in-brazil.html


What Lewis Hamilton told F1 CEO about ‘ridiculous’ Sao Paulo Grand Prix qualifying postponement
2 Nov 2024
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Lewis Hamilton and his Formula 1 rivals weren’t able to run in qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Saturday evening. The session had to be postponed due to excessive rain. Qualifying was due to get underway at 15:00 local time, but there was a thunderstorm in the lead-up to the session. Delays were anticipated as a result, and they soon began to arrive.

Lewis Hamilton says F1 needs ‘better wet tyres’ as Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying postponed. After the decision to postpone qualifying was finally made, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke to Will Buxton on the world feed coverage. He thanked the fans at the circuit for their patience and explained why it was impossible to send the cars out on track.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton interrupted the interview to tell Domenicali, seemingly in a light-hearted tone, that it was a ‘ridiculous’ call. He also proposed a change to prevent a repeat in future. The seven-time world champion wants to see revisions to the wet tyres, presumably so they clear more standing water. Race control expected the drivers to aquaplane on the surface if they went out on Saturday, inevitably leading to accidents.

‘It was a ‘ridiculous’ call’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/wha...-postponement/


Red Bull’s Max Verstappen demoted to fourth at Brazilian GP sprint race
2 Nov 2024
The Straits Times

SAO PAULO - Three-time world champion and series leader Max Verstappen was demoted from third to fourth following the Nov 2 sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix for infringing Virtual Safety Car rules.

The demotion meant the Red Bull driver lost a point and enabled race winner Lando Norris of McLaren to trim his deficit to 44 points in the drivers title race with four Grands Prix, and a further sprint, remaining this year.

‘Demoted to fourth’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...gp-sprint-race


Fresh twist in Red Bull-McLaren title feud explained
Nov 2, 2024
Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

Red Bull is concerned by how suddenly its early season dominance ended, starting with the Miami Grand Prix in early May. Max Verstappen won four of the first five races but has only won three of the 15 since - although he would have won the Miami race itself but for a safety car that allowed McLaren to score victory with Lando Norris.

Since the race after Miami, at Imola, Red Bull has generally found itself weaker than McLaren, which it feels has been particularly strong late in the race. After the summer break, Ferrari has become increasingly competitive as well.

After exploring various aspects of its own car development, admitting it has had some correlation issues and even using pre-Miami floor designs at some points to gain a reference, Red Bull believes that nothing has changed enough on its side to explain the drop off it has suffered, particularly in race pace. It is searching for a possible explanation for that, plus the steps made by its main rivals, which Red Bull does not believe are justified by car upgrades alone.

‘Fresh twist’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f...ud-tyre-fluid/


Leclerc fined RM47,000 for swearing but Formula One stewards say Verstappen was worse
2 Nov 2024
Malay Mail

SAO PAULO, Nov 2 — Formula One stewards fined Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc 10,000 euros (RM47,430), with half the sum suspended, for swearing in a post-race press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix last Sunday. The punishment comes after Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen was ordered in September to carry out “work of public interest” for swearing during a Singapore Grand Prix press conference.

Stewards said in a statement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Friday that the Monegasque’s breach was not as bad as Verstappen’s. Verstappen had alluded, somewhat sorely, to Leclerc’s language when he appeared in an FIA Prix press conference on Thursday. “Apparently it only counts for me anyway because, you know, after the race in Mexico someone was swearing,” the Dutch driver told reporters then, without naming names.

“Apparently it only counts for me anyway”;

https://www.malaymail.com/news/sport...s-worse/155589


Breaking: F1 change entire Brazilian GP Sunday schedule
Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos has been given a rescheduled start time after torrential weather caused F1 to delay the session until Sunday - and the grand prix has been brought forward 90 minutes.
2 Nov 2024
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

It has been confirmed by F1 and the FIA that qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix will start at 07:30 local time on Sunday, five hours prior to an earlier-than-advertised lights out for the race in Brazil. As per the F1 sporting regulations, the grid-setting session must be completed at least three hours before start time of the grand prix.

The race had been scheduled for 14:00 local time, but due to more bad weather forecast, that start time has been brought forward 90 minutes, to 12:30 local time. That means that qualifying will take place at 10:30 UK time (11:30 for mainland Europe) and the race will start at 15:30 (16:30 for mainland Europe).

‘F1 change entire Brazilian GP Sunday schedule’;

https://racingnews365.com/official-n...-gp-qualifying

[Fortitude]

Chaos in Sao Paulo as rain plays havoc with Brazilian Grand Prix.
McLaren’s Lando Norris took an emphatic pole position at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday after Red Bull rival Max Verstappen qualified only 17th in a wet and crash-strewn session at Interlagos.
Nov 3, 2024
The Age

George Russell joined his fellow Briton on the front row for Mercedes after a session that had been postponed from Saturday due to heavy rain. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda claimed a stunning third place on the grid and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon fourth. Australian Oscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, will start 8th.

Qualifying at Interlagos was delayed due to numerous red flags as rain continued to fall in Sao Paulo. The second leg of qualifying was cancelled with Verstappen in 12th position after Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll crashed.

Verstappen failed to advance to the final part of qualifying and will have to add a five-place grid punishment after changing his engine for the sixth time this season, exceeding the maximum allowance of four. Sergio Perez, the second Red Bull driver, also failed to reach the final third of qualifying, and clocked the 13th fastest time.

‘Rain plays havoc’;

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/moto...03-p5knk6.html


F1 Brazilian GP 2024 Starting Grid
Lando Norris braved the rain at Interlagos and will start the 2024 Brazilian GP on pole position
3 Nov 2024
John Smith
12:27
Total Motorsport

Check out the provisional 2024 Brazilian GP starting grid below, which will be updated two hours before the race begins with the final grid positions.

Pos Driver Team
1 Lando Norris McLaren
2 George Russell Mercedes
3 Yuki Tsunoda RB
4 Esteban Ocon Alpine
5 Liam Lawson RB
6 Charles Leclerc Ferrari
7 Alexander Albon Williams
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren
9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin
10 Lance Stroll Aston Martin

‘Starting Grid’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...starting-grid/


Fifth red flag out in qualifying: Albon flies into the wall at turn one
3 Nov 2024
Tim Kraaij
GPblog.com

Alexander Albon caused a fifth red flag during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Thai driver himself suspected his brakes had failed and he flew hard into the wall. Both Williams crashed in qualifying, and the Grove-based team will have a big job on their hands before today's Grand Prix.

For Williams, getting two drivers to start the Grand Prix will be a tough task. After a big crash for Franco Colapinto, Albon also crashed hard into the wall in Q3. The Thai driver asked if his brakes had failed, something that also seemed clear from the footage. He climbed out of his stricken car gingerley but seemed okay.

‘Suspected his brakes had failed’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31099...-the-wall.html


Red Bull disaster! Verstappen and Perez OUT of Brazilian GP qualifying after Stroll crash
Max Verstappen will start a wretched 17th as he also has a grid penalty
3 Nov 2024
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

Max Verstappen will start a wretched 17th for the São Paulo Grand Prix after being caught out by one of the many red flags during a chaotic qualifying session at Interlagos.

Safely through into Q2 after topping the timesheet in Q1, as track conditions ramped up over the 15 minutes, as the clock ticked down, Lance Stroll binned his Aston Martin out of the Senna S in the first sector.

At that stage, with Verstappen building up to his final hot lap, race control opted to red-flag the session, leaving Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in the drop zone, and with no time to restart.

‘Red Bull disaster!’;

https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-d...r-stroll-crash


Max Verstappen rages at F1 chiefs as Brazilian GP red flag dents title hopes
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was outside the top 10 when the red flags flew at the end of Q2, meaning he never got the chance make sure he would start higher than 17th for the Sao Paulo race
3 Nov 2024
Daniel Moxon
The Mirror

Max Verstappen took aim at the Formula 1 race director as he vented after red flags ruined his qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Red Bull racer fumed: "A car hits the wall and it needs to be straight red [flag]. I do not understand why it needs to take 30 or 40 seconds for a red flag to come out, it is just bulls***. Honestly, I will let it go. It is so stupid anyway to talk about, it is ridiculous."

‘It is just bulls***’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...ction-34025888


‘Car right now, worst I’ve ever driven’ – Lewis Hamilton has ‘no hope’ at Brazilian Grand Prix
3 Nov 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Lewis Hamilton says he has “no hope” for the Brazilian Grand Prix after being eliminated in Q1 in 16th place having struggled with an “undrivable” W15. Hamilton’s Brazilian Grand Prix, for which he’s wearing an Ayrton Senna-inspired helmet, is not going to plan with the Briton potentially leaving the Interlagos circuit without a single point on the board.

Hamilton was speaking to the media about his short session. “I’m not going to be negative,” he said. “It is what it is. I don’t have any hopes for the race. Just going to do what I can do. With the car I have right now, it’s the worst I’ve ever driven so I probably won’t be going very far with it. Maybe I’ll start from the pit lane and… I don’t know, we’ll see, but it’s undrivable.”

‘No hope’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...ian-grand-prix


Albon says his car won’t be fixed in time to start Brazilian Grand Prix
3rd Nov 2024
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Alexander Albon says his Williams won’t be repaired in time for him to start the Brazilian Grand Prix. “It won’t be fixed,” said Albon, who is convinced he suffered a failure on his car when he crashed at the Senna S.

“I think we had an issue,” he told the official F1 channel. “I know we had an issue. We just need to go through it. Immediately when I hit the brake pedal, there was a beep in my ear, which normally means there’s a failure. And then rear locking and a big crash. So that’s us out for the race, unfortunately.”

“Beep in my ear”;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/11/03/...an-grand-prix/


Marko has doubts about Brazilian Grand Prix going ahead: 'Bad conditions'
3rd Nov 2024
Ludo van Denderen
GPblog.com

Helmut Marko doubts that the Brazilian Grand Prix will take place this afternoon amid the "very bad conditions" in Sao Paulo. Five drivers are waiting to see if they will be able to participate in the race after crashing in qualifying, with Franco Colapinto, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz all waiting to see if their car will be repaired on time.

"Five cars had accidents, some of them serious. I don't know if that was the right decision, but it is what it is. And now we just have to see what we can do with the situation," Marko told Servus TV. "I think the qualifying took place in very bad conditions," the Austrian stressed, who said he was not sure if there would be any driving later under these conditions.

'Bad conditions'’

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31104...ing-ahead.html

[Fortitude]

Verstappen thrilled after stunning Brazilian GP win: 'SIMPLY LOVELY!'
"Wow, been a long time coming mate but boy was that worth the wait. You are the man!" Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase told Verstappen over the onboard radio after Verstappen crossed the line. The Brazilian Grand Prix winner responded with his signature victory message: ""Yes! What an unbelievable race guys. You know what that is. Simply lovely. I tell you that."
3 Nov 2024
Jeroen Immink
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen brilliantly won the Formula 1 race at Interlagos. In the rain, the Red Bull Racing driver managed to cross the finish line first from a P17 start. Afterwards, Verstappen was ecstatic with the result. The Dutchman had previously not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

'SIMPLY LOVELY!';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31120...rand-prix.html


F1 2024 Brazilian GP Results
Max Verstappen produced a racing masterclass in the rain at Interlagos as he went from P17 to first and ultimate victory at the 2024 Brazilian GP
3 Nov 2024
John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 2024 Brazilian GP – Results
Check out the final 2024 Brazilian GP results below!

Pos Driver Team Time
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull 69 Laps
2 Esteban Ocon Alpine +19.477
3 Pierre Gasly Alpine +22.532
4 George Russell Mercedes +23.265
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +30.177
6 Lando Norris McLaren +31.372
7 Yuki Tsunoda RB +42.056
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren +44.943
9 Liam Lawson RB +50.452
10 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +50.753

‘Max Verstappen produced a racing masterclass’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...an-gp-results/


Verstappen needs just one word to sum up astonishing Brazilian GP victory
From 17th on the Interlagos grid, Max Verstappen claims arguably the best victory of his F1 career.
3 Nov 2024
Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

"Unbelievable!" That was the word Max Verstappen used to sum up the craziest days of his F1 career that culminated in arguably his greatest victory. From 17th on the Interlagos grid, Verstappen was wheel-perfect in his Red Bull throughout the 69 laps in atrocious conditions to leave him within touching distance of a fourth consecutive F1 drivers' title.

Reflecting on his remarkable drive following a morning qualifying that saw him knocked out in Q2 ahead of taking a five-place grid penalty for his RB20 taking on an additional internal combustion engine, Verstappen said:

"My emotions today have been a rollercoaster with qualifying being really unlucky with that red flag. Starting P17, I knew it was going to be a very tough race, but we stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were fine, so all of these things together made that result possible. Unbelievable! To win here from so far back on the grid, yeah..."

"Unbelievable!";

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...ian-gp-victory


Max Verstappen wins chaotic Brazilian GP in devastating blow to Lando Norris F1 title hopes
The Brazilian Grand Prix was run in persistent rain and saw plenty of crashes, a red flag and a massive swing between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris which looks to have decided the F1 title race
3 Nov 2024
Daniel Moxon
The Mirror

It should have been the day Lando Norris inflicted a significant blow on Max Verstappen's title defence. The Dutchman took victory, smashing Lewis Hamilton's record number of places gained on the way to victory at Interlagos - the seven-time champion won from 10th in 2021 - ahead of the Alpine pair of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly whose strategy gamble paid off in the form of a double podium.


And the extra point for the fastest lap means Verstappen is now 62 points ahead of Norris in the drivers' standings. With just three rounds left in the season, it will now take a miracle for the McLaren man to deny his rival a fourth-straight championship success.

‘Devastating blow to Lando Norris… … now take a miracle for the McLaren man’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...appen-34026980


F1 Brazil GP 2024: Verstappen makes statement with epic comeback win in São Paulo
The Red Bull driver rose from P17 to P1 in an incredible race, overcoming the frustration of qualifying.
3 Nov 2024
Janete Weinstein
NBC San Diego

The 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix kept F1 fans on the edge of their seats with a dramatic race. Max Verstappen crossed the finish line after Gabriel Medina, three-time world champion and Olympic medalist in Surfing, waved the checkered flag, followed by the Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. "My emotions today were a rollercoaster, starting at P17 and finishing first was tough, but we made it," Verstappen said.

It was a brilliant day for Alpine and a disastrous day for McLaren whose lead in the constructors' cup is dwindling after today's results. "The performance in the rain was incredible. The car was difficult to control, but it was a special race for Alpine for sure," Ocon said.

‘Statement with epic comeback win’;

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/spo...paulo/3665573/


Red Bull “made the right calls” says Verstappen after “unbelievable” win
3rd Nov 2024
Will Wood
RaceFans

While rival Lando Norris made mistakes and lost critical points to him in the battle at the top of the championship standings, Verstappen says he knew how critical is was for him to not make any errors of his own. “Starting P17, I knew that it was going to be a very tough race,” he said. “But we stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm and we were fine. So all of these things together, of course, made that result possible. It’s unbelievable to win here from so far back on the grid.”

“Made the right calls”;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/11/03/...elievable-win/


Gasly makes 'bingo card' claim after shock Alpine double podium
Alpine has jumped to sixth in the F1 constructors' standings after a shock double podium in São Paulo.
3 Nov 2024
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Pierre Gasly has claimed that Alpine claiming a shock double podium in the São Paulo Grand Prix was not even on any "bingo cards" following the team's difficult season. "It's incredible for the whole team," said Gasly. "We've had such a tough season, we've struggled to score points. In these conditions, everything was possible, and we believed it until the end, two cars on the podium. I don't think anyone would have got that on their bingo card ahead of the season. So it's just fantastic."

"What a day that was," said Ocon. "After the difficult season, it's really nice to be driving around here and having the performance a bit levelled out with the rain. Someone very important to all of us said a long time ago that, in the rain, the cars are almost equal. And that phrase didn't age at all. I'm very happy to be today on the podium, I think it's been awesome."

“I don't think anyone would have got that on their bingo card”;

https://racingnews365.com/gasly-make...-double-podium

[Fortitude]

Verstappen 'invaluable' after all-time great F1 drive – Horner.
"It's a big day for the drivers championship. I never expected to win that, I thought if we could get somewhere near the podium would be an amazing result.” Christian Horner.
3 Nov 2024
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

When asked by Sky Sports F1 how much Verstappen is worth, Horner said: "Max is invaluable. It's impossible to put a number on that. That was a champion's drive. There's some great drivers out there, but to stand out and shine like that today, that marks him out, I think, with some of the greats now.”

"The way he's driven, and even when we've had a difficult car this year, he's never given up. He's gone about collecting the points, he's always trying to get maximum out of the car." Horner recognises that Verstappen's victory is significant in the drivers' title fight and never expected the 27-year-old to claim a famous win.

"So for him to have gone out there and won that race, it was an outstanding drive. Absolutely, he was patient, he attacked when he needed to, and his restart, he came from so far back. Truly, an outstanding drive."

“Trying to get maximum out of the car”;

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...1-drive-horner


Christian Horner after Max's Brazilian GP victory: 'Masterclass'
3 Nov 2024
Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl

Christian Horner, team principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said after the spectacular Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo: “Max put on a masterclass today, he was just brilliant. In these conditions the driver skill really comes out and he was in a league of his own. As a team we got all of the strategy calls right and the car had great pace.”

“What a transformation from this morning when we thought that the top five would have been an incredible drive. To come from 17th on the grid, and through nearly the entire field, it was an incredible performance and one of Max’s very best.”

Horner added: “The team demonstrated today that we are never going to give up, that was evident both at the track and with the whole team back in Milton Keynes. What a great result for the team, and we are going to carry this momentum with us for the final triple header of the season.”

‘Masterclass';

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/5654/


Red Bull: Max Verstappen emulated Ayrton Senna with F1 Brazil GP opening lap run
3 Nov 2024
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Verstappen’s charge to the front began with an electric start as he aced the launch to make up six positions on the opening lap to be on the cusp of the points places. Horner compared the reigning F1 champion’s positioning in those initial corners to the renowned European Grand Prix in 1993 which saw Senna rise from fifth to first.

“Max’s mental strength and attitude to deal with that is, you know, is outstanding,” he continued. “I thought his start today, you know, was electric. And that first lap was, you know, up there with Donington 93’, around the outside of Turn 3. I think he passed, what, six cars on the first lap. And then he was the only car that was really making progress, being able to pick cars up so late on the brakes into Turn 1.”

“Whether it was with Lewis [Hamilton], with Oscar Piastri, and then obviously at the restart with Esteban [Ocon]. Then he just controlled the race and pulled away, you know, with ease at sometimes a second a lap. So, on a pretty dreary day, he shone pretty brightly today.”

‘Donington 93’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...ening-lap-run/


Max Verstappen claims Brazilian GP win from 17th on the grid, hailed as 'insane' and 'invaluable'
Nov 4, 2024
Agence france-presse
Firstpost

The Red Bull maestro won a chaotic, rain-lashed race at Interlagos from 17th place on the grid. With title rival Lando Norris slipping from pole to a disappointing sixth place finish in his McLaren, Verstappen now boasts a 62-point lead over the Briton with just three races left. He could wrap up the championship on the streets of Las Vegas in three weeks’ time.

“I was feeling all over the place, a roller-coaster,” he told reporters after his career 62nd win. “My emotions went from wanting to destroy the garage after qualifying to winning the race.” He added: “It’s so unbelievable to win from so far back on the grid after expecting to drop points in the championship.”

“There was so much at stake and I had to be aware of the championship too. So for me this is the best one. The rain came and we stayed out, which was sketchy, and I just had to keep the car on track and the conditions were undriveable – it was like driving a boat or a jet-ski so it was special today.”

‘Unbelievable to win from so far back on the grid’;

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/bra...-13831575.html


Max Verstappen ‘wanted to destroy garage’ before epic Brazil F1 win
Max Verstappen explains the "roller coaster" of emotions he went through before securing a sensational win from 17th in Brazil.
3 Nov 2024
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Max Verstappen said he wanted to “destroy the garage” before his epic win from 17th on the grid at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The three-time world champion moved to the brink of a fourth world title with a stunning comeback drive in a thrilling and rain-affected race at Interlagos. Verstappen’s statement drive came after he was left enraged by the timing of a red flag as he suffered a shock Q2 exit on Sunday morning in a postponed qualifying session.

‘Brink of a fourth world title’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/105981...-brazil-f1-win


Max Verstappen: Red Bull driver 'emotional' after 'unbelievable' Sao Paulo GP win
Max Verstappen made a stunning comeback drive to win in Brazil on Sunday; Verstappen ranked the performance among his best in Formula 1
3 Nov 2024
Sky Sports

"It's definitely an emotional win. This morning I was very upset and my emotions have been going from left to right today," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1. "I surprised myself today to win here. We had a really good start, stayed out of trouble, made good overtakes and were very fast. We made the right calls with the red flag to stay out. Suddenly the rain came down and it was even undrivable on a wet tyre.

"The calls with the team as well, I know they are super calm and just amazing in helping me as well on the pit wall make the right decisions. In races like this, it's massive to have that." He later added to the written press: "I don't even know where to start, because my emotions today have been from almost trying to destroy the garage to winning the race."

"I surprised myself today to win here”;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/31...o-paulo-gp-win


Ocon complimented Verstappen on his race-winning pass
3rd Nov 2024
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Esteban Ocon said Alpine’s double podium finish was a “dream” result for the team, but he couldn’t have kept Max Verstappen behind to him. Ocon managed to keep Verstappen behind him at the first rolling restart but said there was no way to keep him back at the second. “Max clearly was quicker on that second stint, so there was no way for me to be fighting,” said Ocon.

“He pulled away very quickly, as I thought he would have done. I told him after the race, I was very impressed on how late he could brake to the inside without locking up the front. That’s what has happened to a lot of drivers. Probably in qualifying, 90% of my laps, I had the front locking into turn one. But yeah, he made it stick, and it was a nice move.”

‘Ocon complimented Verstappen’;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/11/03/...-winning-pass/


Lewis Hamilton sends three-word message to Max Verstappen after winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
3 Nov 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

The 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix may be looked back on as one of the greatest victories in Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 career. For only the third time in the history of Formula 1, a driver has started 17th on the grid and gone on to win, with Max Verstappen emulating Kimi Raikkonen who was the last person to achieve the feat.

Posting on Instagram, Verstappen said: “Unbelievable!!! What a roller coaster… SIMPLY LOVELY. Thank you everyone @redbullracing.” Nico Hulkenberg, who was disqualified from the race referred to Verstappen as the greatest of all time, while another man who fits into that category, Lewis Hamilton, said: “Amazing drive, congrats.”

‘One of the greatest victories’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lew...lo-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Windsor explains why Norris is wrong: 'Red flag stop wasn't just luck'.
Peter Windsor strongly disagrees that Max Verstappen's victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix was clinched because of a lucky red flag caused by Franco Colapinto.
4 Nov 2024
Corwin Kunst
GPblog.com

"Probably is Max's best-ever win. Now, I know there are lots of chattering voices out there saying, 'oh yeah, but he didn't just go all the way through the field. He had to have the help from the red flag and the Atlas of Strategy call. It was luck, whatever it was. Plus, he was stuck behind Charles for too long, really, to be right up there with the very best, blah, blah, blah'," Windsor said in his latest video.

"Well, the first thing I would say is that I don't think that that red [flag] stop was just luck or even a great strategy call. I think it was Max using the tyres in that first phase of the race better than any other driver on the track. And I say that because of what we could see. What we could see was a recently resurfaced Interlagos on which it was very difficult in the wet to do any of the normal things. In other words, to go offline, to look for the grip," he continued.

"Probably is Max's best-ever win”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31142...nterlagos.html


Christian Horner speaks out after Lando Norris' 'luck not talent' comment about F1 rival Max Verstappen
The Red Bull team principal his hit out at the McLaren driver's claims.
4 Nov 2024
Ben McCrum
SPORTbible

Red Bull racing team principal Christian Horner has responded to McLaren driver Lando Norris' claims about Max Verstappen after the Brazilian Grand Prix. Speaking after the race, Horner praised his driver and made a bold claim about where he stands among the greatest Formula One drivers of all time.

“For him to have gone out there and won that race, it was an outstanding drive. He was patient and he attacked when he needed to. Truly an outstanding drive," the team principal told Sky Sports. "I think in the wet and the dry he’s the best in the world at the moment.”

Horner's comments come after Verstappen's rival Norris appeared to discredit the Dutch driver's performance, suggesting it was more to do with his luck in the race rather than any talent or ability.

“An outstanding drive”;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/christ...02644-20241104


Max Verstappen hits back at British critics after São Paulo GP masterclass
4 Nov 2024
giles richards
Yahoo! Sport

Following his triumph in Interlagos, Verstappen said: “I have a quick question. I mean, I appreciate all of you being here, but I don’t see any British press. Do they have to run to the airport, or they don’t know where the press conference is?”

Hill, who won the 1996 drivers’ championship, had compared him to the Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly, while Brundle said the Dutch driver’s legacy was being “tainted” in the wake of his 20-second penalty in Mexico for forcing Norris off the road twice. Herbert, now an FIA steward, claimed Verstappen’s driving had been “harsh” and “over the top”.

“I don’t see any British press”;

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/max...efE0RNLDx1Bj0Z


GianPiero Lambiase’s bet against Max Verstappen revealed by Helmut Marko
4 Nov 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Lambiase was again the victim of a Marko bet in Brazil as they bet on whether or not Verstappen, who had to line up P17 on the grid, could reach the podium. Marko said yes, Lambiase said no and Verstappen not only put his RB20 on the podium, but he won the race by a staggering 20 seconds.

“With Max’s engineer, I bet Max would finish on the podium. GP didn’t think so,” Marko told De Telegraaf. “We put a hundred dollars on it. But I only said a podium and no victory… Max always wants to do better.”

‘Marko said yes, Lambiase said no’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut...zil-gp-f1-2024


How Verstappen’s emotions went from “almost destroying the garage to winning”
NOV 4, 2024
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

Verstappen qualified 12th after getting caught by a red flag in Q2, after which he made his frustration clear. He then dropped to 17th on the grid due to a five-place PU change penalty. He was up to 11th by the end of lap 1 and had risen to fifth when a VSC emerged on lap 27.

While many drivers took the opportunity to pit for fresh inters Esteban Ocon and Verstappen opted not to and moved into first and second immediately before a red flag gave them a free tyre change. Soon after the resumption Verstappen moved past Ocon into the lead and he set a series of fastest laps as he pulled away to a comfortable win, giving his title campaign a massive boost.

Verstappen insisted that he only realised that he could win the race when he passed Ocon. “When I got past Esteban in Turn 1. I mean, before that, the pace was there, I was just trying to build it up slowly. Because after the red flag, the restart was very fast. And then just when the safety car actually came out, I was starting to catch him a bit. But then the tyres were, again, very cold. And then in the restart, I got by.”

‘Could win the race when he passed Ocon’;

https://adamcooperf1.com/2024/11/04/...ge-to-winning/


Glock praises: 'Verstappen can be mentioned in the same breath as Schumacher'
4 Nov 2024
Corwin Kunst
GPblog.com

"In terms of his qualities in the rain, in terms of his qualities as a driver, you can mention Max Verstappen in the same breath as Michael Schumacher," Glock said on the German branch of Sky Sports. "Max is incredibly good, what he always performs in the race is extraordinary. It's unique, even if the world title is still some time away."

Lando Norris has missed out. A first world championship for him has been made all but impossible by his sixth-place finish at Interlagos. "That obviously hurts, because he knows there was a great opportunity in Brazil. Who would have thought that Verstappen would win the race from 17th place? And that instead of a smaller lead, he actually only extended his gap to Lando," the German said.

"Max is incredibly good”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31146...er-brazil.html


Charles Leclerc makes his feelings clear on Max Verstappen after 'luck not talent' comment from Lando Norris
Leclerc has commented on Verstappen's win.
4 Nov 2024
Ryan Smart
SPORTbible

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has made his feelings clear on Max Verstappen's performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix after comments by Lando Norris. Speaking after the race, meanwhile, Leclerc - who finished fifth and is now mathematically out of championship contention - gave his verdict on Verstappen's victory.

He said: "We knew the Red Bull would be good today. But honestly I think today it was more Max that made the difference than the car." Leclerc was ahead of Verstappen during the first stint, but Ferrari elected to pit him early for fresh tyres and he rejoined in traffic behind Hamilton and Oliver Bearman.

The Monagasque driver was down in sixth at the final safety car restart, but passed Norris following his error and then George Russell. Russell would later re-pass Leclerc, meaning he ended the Grand Prix in fifth place.

“More Max that made the difference than the car”;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/charle...68095-20241104

[Fortitude]

Alpine duo reflect on troubled relationship after '$30 million' podiums.
Despite their close childhood as karting friends in Northern France, Ocon and Gasly have had at times a strained relationship, including in F1.
4 Nov 2024
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

Their two-three result was the best for 'Team Enstone' since a similar result for Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen at the 2013 Korean GP, with Gasly reflecting on the "very personal relationship" with his soon-to-be-ex-team-mate. "I don't think anyone can understand, it's a very personal relationship between Esteban and myself," he told media including RacingNews365.

"But we've been going through so much, all these times we've had, like over winter, minus 5 degrees outside, we were the only ones showing up at the go-kart track, going out in the rain, in the snow, on slick tyres at 9, 10, 11 years old. We've really practised these conditions. And on a day like this, I can tell you this actually made the difference, all that practice.”

"I remember us getting back in the truck and trying to get warm after a few laps because we were absolutely freezing. And it's just that we've had our ups and downs. But in this two-year chapter as team-mates, I think we can be very proud of the way we've pushed the team forward."

“Only ones showing up at the go-kart track”;

https://racingnews365.com/alpine-duo...illion-podiums


Alpine boss Oakes buzzing after double podium: "Can see how much it means"
4 Nov 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has said "you can see how much it means" to the French team after they earned a sublime double podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix. "Since Austin, we have more pace, with this upgrade," Oakes explained after the Grand Prix at Interlagos. "Even yesterday with Pierre, it was a strong [Sprint] race. Credit to everyone today because the drivers have just said then in the debrief they didn't put a foot wrong in tricky conditions. Also strategy, those calls, everything. It was a good day. Even with the pace in the race, Esteban was very strong. Credit to Max [Verstappen]. He's impressive as well in those conditions."

Oakes knows how big of a result it was for the team: "I was thinking this earlier, you've got to enjoy the moment, but also be humble because there's still quite a few races left, isn't there? I think more for the team as a whole, at the beginning of the season, they got a lot of mud slung at them, or a bit of stick. You can see how much it means to them."

‘Oakes buzzing’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31148...in-brazil.html


Alpine duo commend team’s resilience after ‘incredible’ Brazil GP
Arguably the most dramatic race of the 2024 season so far...
Nov 4, 2024
Freddie Cotton
FormulaNerds

Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon have praised the team’s resilience this year after their double podium finish at the São Paulo Grand Prix. Whilst they had to endure a dismal first 20 races of the season, Alpine will certainly view their weekend in Brazil as worth the wait. Speaking to Formula 1 media after the chequered flag, Gasly expressed his delight with the team’s weekend and praised the Alpine crew for persevering through such a tough year:

“I’m absolutely buzzing right now! I’m just so proud of the team. To overcome such a tough season… it would have been too easy to give up but we never gave up and here we are. Both cars P2 and P3, a lot of points for the team and everyone should be very proud today.”

“It’s incredible for the whole team. We had such a tough season, we’ve struggled to score points. In these conditions everything was possible. No one believed it until the end – two cars on the podium, I don’t think anyone would have got that on their bingo card ahead of this season. It’s just fantastic.”

‘Team’s resilience’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/al.../?nowprocket=1


Briatore hails Alpine F1's 30 million euro pay-day
Sunday at Interlagos may have been worth a whopping 30 million euros to the struggling Alpine team.
4 Nov 2024
GrandPrix.com

“Without taking anything away from an incredible Ocon in the wet and a Gasly who did his job well, today we were also lucky”, Briatore told Sky Italia. “I think we have a car that is better in the wet. Unfortunately I don't think the next three races will be wet”, the Italian lamented. “But today we saw with all these young drivers presented as a new phenomena how much experience still counts in Formula 1.”

“This year we did more of a house cleaning”, said Briatore, "and we're still doing it. We made only one real evolutionary step so as not to disturb the 2025 project, and the step we took was in the direction of 2025 in any case. That is all I authorised. It went well, because this year many teams took steps back when they brought updates. So well done to our engineers.”

He said: "We need to get back to having people working for a racing team and not for a corporate company. We have gone back to how Renault was before. Those who are left exclusively deal with the team and F1. Everyone else has gone”, revealed Briatore. “When I arrived there were 1150 people, now we are 850. We have put things back the way they should be, with the team based in Great Britain independent from everything else,” said Briatore.

‘30 million euro pay-day’;

https://www.grandprix.com/news/briat...o-pay-day.html


Bingo! Alpine strike F1 jackpot at Brazilian Grand Prix
4 Nov 2024
The Straits Times

Alpine hit a possible €29.2 million (S$41.9 million) jackpot in Brazil on Nov 3, when French pair Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished second and third respectively...

“We have struggled to score points and in these conditions everything was possible,” said Gasly, who also scored two points with seventh in the sprint on Nov 2. No one believed it until the end. Two cars on the podium. I don’t think anyone would have got that on their bingo card ahead of the season.”

Former boss Flavio Briatore, now an executive adviser who reports to Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, clarified the figure to Sky Italia. “It’s 29.2 million (euros). It’s the first thing I asked,” he told Sky. The joy and relief were evident as mechanics and engineers celebrated in the pit lane.

‘Alpine strike F1 jackpot’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...ian-grand-prix


Esteban Ocon shares what was ‘worth it’ after securing Sao Paulo Grand Prix podium
4 Nov 2024
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Esteban Ocon says extra sleep was ‘worth it’. As a result of the torrential rain that fell over the circuit on Saturday, qualifying was postponed and rescheduled for early Sunday morning. That meant an early wake-up call for the drivers, who were impacted by the race time being brought forward to account for any delays that would be required.

Max Verstappen must have slept well, as he dominated for Red Bull to claim an emphatic victory from 17th on the grid. However, as he revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the race, Esteban Ocon enjoyed some extra sleep before the race. “That extra minute of sleep was DEFINITELY worth it – iykyk.”

‘Extra sleep was worth it’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/est...d-prix-podium/


Pierre Gasly: Alpine Brazil GP podium built on ‘personal relationship’ with Esteban Ocon
4 Nov 2024
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Pierre Gasly: “…minus 5 degrees outside, we were the only ones showing up at the go-kart track, going out in the rain, in the snow, slick tyres, 9, 10, 11 years old. We’ve really practiced these conditions. And on a day like today, I can tell you this actually made the difference, all that practice. I remember us getting back in the truck trying to get warm after a few laps because we were absolutely freezing.”

Given the team’s tumultuous history, it’s no shock that the last time the team scored a double podium was all the way back in 2013. In those days, Alpine was known as Lotus Renault and Kimi Raikkonen stood with Romain Grosjean on the Korean GP podium.

Team Enstone has been on a downward spiral since, but Gasly said that his two years at Alpine with Ocon is something they can be “very proud” of. “We’ve had our ups and downs,” he said. “But this two years chapter as team-mates, I think we can be very proud of the way we’ve pushed the team forward.”

“Practiced these conditions”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...-esteban-ocon/


Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon share ‘beautiful’ childhood story after Sao Paulo Grand Prix podiums
4 Nov 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Ocon: “Do you remember in Anvil when we were driving in the rain?”
Gasly: “Even in the snow! Takes me back to the days when we were the only ones turning up at the karting track, freezing cold in the rain, it’s all worth it.”

Ocon: “It paid off today and I tell you, when we did the formation in the in-lap that was the first thing that came to my mind.”
Gasly: “What a beautiful story that is. This is a moment of a lifetime, as a kid from where we came from to end up as teammates was against all odds, but to end up on the same podium is more against all odds.”

‘Beautiful childhood story’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/pie...-prix-podiums/

[Fortitude]

Russell reveals anger at Mercedes’ costly Brazil GP strategy call.
After the race, Russell was left to rue what could have been if events would have fallen differently for him over the course of the race. Nov 5, 2024
Freddie Cotton
FormulaNerds

Speaking to Formula 1 media in parc ferme, the British driver outlined how he was disgruntled by the decision as he had made his desire to stay out clear to the team: “Leading from the front is much easier. Where we could have ended up, I don’t know, but I was pretty angry at the time because I wanted to stay out.”

“My take is that if we had have stayed out, we would have been first at the restart ahead of [Esteban] Ocon, Max [Verstappen] and Gasly.” Russell then went on to highlight how, besides the mistake, the team manged his race well in adverse conditions: “It was very challenging, but we were comfortable, in those first 30 laps, everything was under control. We had a 12-second gap to P3, just managing my gap with Lando.”

“Obviously those three laps were very, very difficult in the middle, and that’s why I wanted to stay because I felt very, very confident this will go Safety Car or a red flag. Inevitably, it did because it was undriveable.” Although he will undoubtedly be disappointed with how his race concluded, Russell’s P4 finish moved him above teammate Lewis Hamilton in the World Drivers’ Championship Standings.

“I wanted to stay out”;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ru.../?nowprocket=1


Russell on Mercedes VSC strategy call: “Sometimes you have to trust your gut…”
NOV 4, 2024
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

Russell was adamant that his preference to stay out was the correct one. “From the team’s perspective it’s not obvious at all,” he said of the decision to pit. “From the cockpit it was very clear it was going to be a red flag or safety car, because the conditions were undriveable. The rain was not easing, and I could see the big black cloud above me. And then I had Shov [Andrew Shovlin] jump on, like overruling my engineer to say box.”

“We’re working as a team. We’re trying to make the best decisions in the time. Clearly, the guys who didn’t pit, they finished one-two-three, and we finished the highest of the drivers who did so. I would take a small slice of satisfaction from that. Sometimes you have to trust your gut. Last time I trusted my gut, it went down pretty well.”

“Today who knows if we could have won the race, but if we didn’t pit, we would have been leading at the restart, and the first 30 laps, controlling the pace with Lando behind, we had very good straight line speed as well. P2 would have been a minimum.”

“Sometimes you have to trust your gut…”;

https://adamcooperf1.com/2024/11/04/...rust-your-gut/


Why Russell believes he would've won if Mercedes had listened to him
4 Nov 2024
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

Russell would have preferred to stay out, but he was overruled by his race engineer. "It did [cost the win]. We're in this together as a team. Already taking P4 ahead of the weekend, we'll get over it. Sometimes it’s difficult to predict what's about to happen. Everybody’s doing their best and making the best calls with the information available," he said on Sky Sports.

"Normally when it's drying, it’s the team’s to say, ‘Let's go to slicks.’ When it's getting wetter, it's normally the driver's call to say, ‘Slicks to inters, or inters to wets.’ I was very confident it was going to go safety car or red flag because it was like driving a boat," he added.

‘If Mercedes had listened to him’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31147...-mercedes.html


George Russell regrets obeying Mercedes order at Brazilian GP after engineer 'overruled'
George Russell finished fourth at the Brazilian GP over the weekend in a sodden Sao Paulo and the Mercedes star has now opened up on the decision not to pit during the race
4 Nov 2024
Daniel Orme
The Mirror

George Russell has been left to rue his decision to pit during the chaotic Brazilian GP. Explaining the orders he received, Russell said: “It was 'box'. I said 'stay out'. It was 'box' again, it was 'stay out', I said. And they said 'box' again. As I said, 'I want to stay out'. And then the last one, you’ve got to go for it...

“Sometimes you have to trust your gut. Last time I trusted my gut, it went down pretty well. Today, who knows if we could have won the race? But if we didn't pit, we would have been leading at the restart and the first 30 laps controlling the pace. With Lando behind us, we had very good straightline speed as well. P2 would have been a minimum.”

‘Regrets obeying Mercedes order’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...appen-34031791


George Russell ‘shocked’ by FIA decision during Sao Paulo Grand Prix
4 Nov 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

George Russell was left ‘shocked’ by the decision made by FIA Race Control to continue racing as the rain got heavier during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The race was interrupted after 30 laps when a shower hit the circuit and increased the amount of rainfall, prompting some drivers to pit for a new set of Intermediate tyres including Russell.

The Mercedes driver pitted while leading the race along with second-placed Lando Norris, however, it turned out to be the wrong call when the Safety Car was deployed due to poor visibility. This was upgraded to a red flag when Franco Colapinto crashed on the main straight, enabling everyone who didn’t pit to get a free pit stop while sitting in the pits.

Russell questioned why the FIA Race Control decided to take as long as they did to neutralise the race when it was clear drivers were struggling in the increasingly difficult conditions at the Interlagos circuit when speaking to Sky Sports.

‘Decision made by FIA Race Control to continue racing as the rain got heavier’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/geo...lo-grand-prix/


Mercedes has "a lot of things to debrief", claims Russell
4 Nov 2024
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

A seemingly disheartened Russell said after the challenging race: "That was an intense race and there’s lots for us to debrief and learn from. I got a good start and I was surprised at the pace in the opening stint – we didn’t have the right tyre pressures on the set, and we were expecting them to drop off, so that was encouraging.”

"When the VSC came with the heavy rain, I was in favour of staying out as I thought there would be a red flag – it was like driving a point at points, with the aquaplaning on the straights. I pitted and so did Lando, and we ended up P4 and P6 at the finish, while the cars that stayed out finished ahead.”

"A lot of things to debrief";

https://www.f1technical.net/news/25778


George Russell sends three-word message to Pierre Gasly after surprise Sao Paulo Grand Prix podium
4 Nov 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Alpine started the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sitting only ahead of the pointless Sauber team in the standings. However, an extraordinary performance from Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly has earned Alpine their best points tally of the season. Oliver Oakes’s team started the weekend on 14 points, eyeing a battle with Williams for 8th place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, Gasly proved in the Sprint Race that Alpine may have taken a much-needed step forward, converting his 7th-place start into two vital points.

Alpine then gambled on their strategy after a turbulent qualifying session and it paid off brilliantly. Ocon was in the running for a podium finish before Franco Colapinto’s crash brought out the red flag, while Gasly had kept his car on the road when many drivers around him were spinning off. The pair could then put on fresh intermediate tyres in the break – alongside Max Verstappen – and that led the French team to secure their first double-podium finish since 2013.

George Russell sends message to Pierre Gasly after Brazilian Grand Prix podium. Posting a photo of himself with Ocon and Verstappen holding his trophy, Gasly simply said: “What a Sunday!” Russell replied to his post and congratulated him by saying: “Great job mate!”

‘Three-word message’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/geo...d-prix-podium/

[Fortitude]

Leclerc frustrated at “wrong direction” that left Ferrari “nowhere” in Interlagos rain.
Charles Leclerc admits that his Ferrari Formula 1 team was “nowhere” at a wet Interlagos on Sunday, and he took part of the responsibility for a wrong turn on setup that didn’t pay off.
4 Nov 2024
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

“I think I’m partly to blame for it,” Leclerc said when asked by this writer about the SF-24’s poor wet weather form. Because obviously we decide the setups together with the team, and today I wanted to go into that direction.”

“However it was the wrong one, for sure. And today, the pace was just not there. I think in qualifying, we actually weren’t too bad. With the new tyres, low fuel, you can extract more out of the car. But in the race, we were nowhere.”

“Wrong direction”;

https://adamcooperf1.com/2024/11/04/...terlagos-rain/


Leclerc: ‘The car was extremely difficult to drive’
3 Nov 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Charles Leclerc called his Sao Paulo Grand Prix as “damage limitation” exercise after he finished P5 – and in front of both McLarens – for Ferrari.

“Damage limitation”;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/le...26957824050984


How Leclerc “paid the price” for Ferrari’s bold but flawed strategy
4th Nov 2024
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

“We paid the price a lot,” Leclerc told the official F1 channel. “In the first stop we stopped too early and ended up in the traffic and that cost us three or four positions. So then to come back from that was very difficult. But P5 in front of both McLarens, at least it’s a damage limitation weekend where we are only losing four points to them today, which could have been a lot worse.”

Both Ferrari drivers complained the SF-24 suffered poor balance in the wet conditions. Carlos Sainz Jnr crashed twice and Leclerc said they were “just not fast enough.” “The car was extremely difficult to drive,” he explained. “Very, very pointy, very digital, very oversteer-y and it was very difficult to drive.”

“On the other hand, I felt with what we had, we did the best, more or less, we could do,” he added. “If you look at the top three, I think these are the three drivers that put no foot wrong on such a long race, and this is very difficult, and they deserve to be on the podium.”

“Paid the price”;

https://www.racefans.net/2024/11/04/...awed-strategy/


Leclerc: ‘Every time I was on a lap there was a red flag’
03 Nov 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc wasn’t happy with his P6 grid slot at Interlagos, and bemoaned the frequent red flag interruptions in the session. “Nothing went out way today,” he said.

‘Red flags’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/le...04935517809465


F1 fans deliver FIA judgement after Verstappen-Leclerc F-bomb furore
Seems like the FIA has over-reacted on this one according to fans.
4 Nov 2024
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

The FIA has been accused of over-reacting following the use of the f-word by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in recent official press conferences. The Red Bull and Ferrari drivers were handed different punishments by motorsport's governing body, which raised eyebrows as the FIA took it upon itself to differentiate the use of profanity.

Verstappen's penalty resulted in a boycott of the following FIA press conferences that weekend in Singapore from the Dutchman, who instead conducted separate media briefings. Leclerc, meanwhile, received a €10,000 fine - €5,000 suspended for 12 months - after swearing during an FIA press conference following the Mexico City GP.

‘Verstappen-Leclerc F-bomb furore’;

https://racingnews365.com/f1-fans-de...-f-bomb-furore


Charles Leclerc boldly backs Max Verstappen in Lando Norris rift with 'very false' claim
Charles Leclerc has weighed in on the drama between the two title contenders.
Nov 4, 2024
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Verstappen has been heavily criticized in the paddock for his driving standards, but Leclerc is not convinced that the detractions levied at the Red Bull driver have been totally fair. “The second move on Lando, I think this is over the limit,” he said. “I also think that whoever [you put] in his position might just do the same, because we are fighting for a world title and I think it would be very false to say that drivers will do something different today.”

He then continued: “He feels that the car that he has is not as good as the beginning of the season. He feels that McLaren probably [has] really good momentum at the moment and they are all fighting for the drivers’ title. So it’s hard. Sometimes he will go over the limit, like he did in Mexico. But again, they are fighting for a world title. So in my opinion it’s understandable. Then it’s up to the FIA to control that and obviously put limits to what is possible or not. And on that, we are trying to work to make it the best possible.”

‘Charles Leclerc boldly backs Max Verstappen’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...n-Lando-Norris


Charles Leclerc picks sides in Max Verstappen vs Lando Norris after 'very false' claims
Charles Leclerc has defended Max Verstappen in the wake of his controversial moves while duelling on track with title rival Lando Norris, insisting that any driver in his position 'might just do the same'
4 Nov 2024
Daniel Moxon
The Mirror

Charles Leclerc thinks any driver in Max Verstappen's shoes would be just as aggressive as he has been towards challenger Lando Norris.

‘Controversial moves’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...clerc-34030999

[Fortitude]

Why Max Verstappen's win in Brazil means that the wheels have fallen off Lando Norris’ title aspirations.
A horrifying capitulation at the Brazilian Grand Prix has seen Lando Norris’ world championship dreams all but dissipate.
5 Nov 2024
Oliver van Bronswijk
The Roar

Poor racecraft coupled with a bad mindset signifies world championship aspirations remain far-fetched for the McLaren driver. Norris finished the Grand Prix in Sao Paulo a crushing sixth whilst Verstappen was victorious. Disbarring the Britan’s procedural error, leading the grid off after an abandoned start led to only a fine. A penalty could’ve been well justified adding to a catastrophic Sunday.

The potential for danger was high in an Interlagos storm and many assumed Norris would face a time penalty for his actions. Worst yet was Norris’ demeanour succeeding the race. In response to the red flag, Norris dismissed Verstappen’s fortune stating, “You take a gamble and it’s paid off for them. It’s not talent, it’s just luck.”

This attitude articulates an inability to look within. Failure to lead and build a gap in wet conditions cost Norris a chance at victory. Verstappen likely would have still triumphed but leading mitigates the threat, Norris is incapable of executing the aforementioned. Norris has also shown throughout the season a high degree of self-blame, which can be harmful to a driver’s confidence.

‘Poor racecraft coupled with a bad mindset’;

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/0...e-aspirations/


‘Can just hear him saying’: James Hunt would have been ‘infuriated’ by what Lando Norris did at Sao Paulo Grand Prix
6 Nov 2024
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

James Hunt would have seethed at Lando Norris for not passing George Russell – Peter Windsor Speaking on the Cameron CC YouTube channel, F1 journalist and former team member Peter Windsor lamented Norris’ failure to clear Russell. He felt that McLaren legend James Hunt would have been ‘infuriated’ watching him sit behind the Mercedes.

He said: “If James Hunt was doing the BBC commentary yesterday on the Brazilian Grand Prix, I can just hear him saying to Murray Walker after three laps ‘well come on Lando, leave it two more laps you’re never going to get past Mr Russell, come on, you can do it, you’ve got a much better car, stop messing around’. I can just see him saying that. He would have been infuriated by Lando just sitting there. And after a while, George metaphorically just turned the mirrors off.”

‘Infuriated’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jam...lo-grand-prix/


Bernie Ecclestone's take on Max Verstappen's Brazilian GP win speaks volumes after Lando Norris' 'luck not talent' comment
Lando Norris finished in a lowly sixth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
5 Nov 2024
Marcus Chan


After the race, Lando Norris received heavy criticism for his comments about Verstappen’s win. The McLaren driver said: “That’s life sometimes. you take a gamble (waiting for a red flag for a ‘free pitstop’), it’s paid off for them. it’s not talent, it’s just luck”. Speaking about Verstappen’s victory, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealed what Ecclestone told him during a phone call.

He said: “Bernie rang me after the race and said, 'I've seen all the greats; and that's one of the very best I've ever seen'. He's a bit older than I am and seen a bit more, so high credit from someone like him.” Horner than compared Verstappen’s first lap to F1 legend Ayrton Senna’s famous start at Donnington Park back in 1993. He added: “Today was an emotional rollercoaster because we knew we had a good car. Max's mental strength and attitude to deal with that is outstanding, and I thought his start today was electric.”

‘Speaks volumes’;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/max-ve...38226-20241105


Painful Sunday for Norris: 'Not good when you get beaten up so badly'
5 Nov 2024
Corwin Kunst
GPblog.com

Lando Norris now needs a miracle to win his first Formula 1 world title in 2024. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, has one hand on the trophy. However, Christian Danner saw Verstappen deal a blow to Norris and all of the F1 drivers on the grid.

"That was an incredible blow to his opponents. Max ended up driving one fastest lap after another. He showed his opponents that he is very much better," former Formula 2 champion Danner told ServusTV. "Besides the masterclass driving, it is also the mental stability that deeply impressed me. While there was a bit of luck involved, the deciding factor was staying cool in the most difficult conditions. And he stayed that way."

The analyst believes the McLaren driver was lucky to get away with a reprimand for pulling away at the aborted start. "He made a mistake just driving away, when everyone should know: only drive away when it is green," he said. "All in all, the weekend in São Paulo was certainly not good for Norris' confidence. It's not good when you get beaten up so badly. He made quite a few mistakes."

‘Lucky to get away with a reprimand’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31162...1-drivers.html


Zak Brown told what he should have said to Lando Norris after ‘lucky’ Max Verstappen comments
5 Nov 2024
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Zak Brown should have told Lando Norris to ‘learn’ from Max Verstappen’s onboards in Sao Paulo. Speaking on the Cameron Cc YouTube channel, Peter Windsor outlined what Zak Brown should have said to Norris following his comments about Verstappen’s victory.

“The only thing I think is a bit disappointing is that, as Zak Brown, and I suppose you could never rely on a Stella doing this, but a Zak Brown doesn’t say to Lando: ‘wow, Max was unbelievable today,” he said. “We need to go and watch the videos, there’s a few things we can do there that Max was doing. We’ll get it right next time Lando, you drove really well mate. Don’t go thinking this was a lucky win because it wasn’t. We don’t want to go down that path.”

‘Learn’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/zak...ppen-comments/


Lando Norris telemetry data shows the start of his Brazilian GP downfall
4 Nov 2024
Pablo Hidalgo
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris, who started the race in first place and alongside Fernando Alonso as the driver who lost the most positions to eventually finish sixth, and Oscar Piastri was unable to take advantage of the MCL38’s superior performance to put in a good result.

With the red flag, Lando Norris dropped to P4 behind these three drivers and Oscar Piastri dropped to P8 as Pierre Gasly held on the track and gained seven positions.

From here on, Norris lost his temper and made several big mistakes in the rain. The McLaren driver went wide at Turn 4 on the restart and lost position to Russell again to drop to P5. Piastri managed to at least gain a position on Yuki Tsunoda to move up to P7.

‘Norris lost his temper’;

https://www.planetf1.com/features/la...an-gp-downfall


Bit to learn: Eddie Jordan tells Lando Norris to ‘toughen up’ after watching the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
6 Nov 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Eddie Jordan tells Lando Norris to ‘toughen up’ after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Jordan was asked if there would be a reshuffle in the established order on the grid if the regulations were changed and said:

“I reflect back to all of the years that happened and we know how tough the Prost/Senna days were with Mansell in there banging wheels and everything. They were tough days. And at the moment, there are a couple of drivers who still have to toughen themselves up. I include in that Lando. Lando has a bit of learn, he’s got unbelievable speed, there’s absolutely no doubt.”

‘Bit to learn’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/edd...lo-grand-prix/


Lando Norris has one more year to show he's worthy of becoming Formula One champion after Max Verstappen closes in on yet another title, writes JONATHAN McEVOY
4 Nov 2024
Jonathan McEvoy
MailOnline

Lando Norris was tetchy after losing - or, barring miracles, losing - the Formula One championship of the world to a force of nature called Max Verstappen. The McLaren man's comments in Sao Paulo on Sunday night were defensive. He will regret, and I guess recant, saying that it was not talent but 'luck' that permitted his Dutch rival to win the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Verstappen, starting 17th, gobbled up three cars at Turn 3 on the outside on the opening laps, shades of no less than Ayrton Senna at Donington in 1993, and then there was composure and skill to keep his Red Bull on the road, and devastatingly fast, as several of the other best drivers of their time slithered off it multiple times.

So, you can only excuse Norris for having come up against a talent so numinous you can't stop it. To borrow from boxing, Norris was a latter-day Frank Bruno, an accomplished fighter for sure but one who stood no chance in Las Vegas going up against 'Iron' Mike Tyson that ill-balanced night in 1997.

‘Lando Norris was tetchy after losing - or, barring miracles, losing’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...AN-McEVOY.html