Race 21 - Brazillian GP 2024 [Sao Paulo]

[Nitrodaze]

On the current grid, Sir Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver to race this track with three wins. You probably would not believe that by his current showing in the current Mercedes. With Verstappen close behind with two wins. The most successful driver to ever race this track is the Meastro, Alain Prost with five wins. He sits above the red baron Michael Schumacher and the Argentinian, Carlos Reutemann with four wins each. Third place is jointly shared by Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel with three wins each.

We come into Sao Paulo sprint weekend in the wake of the Mexican GP controversies. Verstappen sees his championship lead cut to 47 points after a stinging 20-second penalty. As Verstappen reels from that one, so does McLaren as they see their Constructors-championship lead cut down to 29 points by Ferrari. Redbull also watches with frustration as they slip backwards to third in the constructors. Not taking Perez properly into consideration in their design efforts is now causing them problems, some may say.
These last four races are now so crucial to all concerned. Any slipups are most certainly going to be irrecoverably punitive. The demands on drivers and teams alike are high and nothing short of needing to produce flawless operation and execution at every race going forward.

McLaren has bounced back with a one-two grid start for the sprint. Noticeably, Verstappen qualifies fourth in front of a faster Ferrari of Sainz. Norris has to start well to keep Leclerc behind to be in place to benefit from a switch later in the race to take the race win. The one that matters the most is the Sunday race of course. If McLaren executes their operation efficiently, they are set to put some more points between themselves and Ferrari. And Verstappen is likely to see the difference to Norris drop considerably with two McLarden and two Ferrari ahead.

My money is on Verstappen pulling out a spectacular race to limit any loss go the minimum possible. It is going to be a cracking race.

[Used to be Starter]

Nice work by McLaren in the sprint race to keep as many points from Verstappen as they did. What happened to Ferrari? It will be interesting to see if they can do better tomorrow.

[Nitrodaze]

Nice work by McLaren in the sprint race to keep as many points from Verstappen as they did. What happened to Ferrari? It will be interesting to see if they can do better tomorrow.

I am sure Ferrari would learn a thing or two from the sprint. I expect them to be ahead of the Redbull in Quali later today. As it stands, Norris has cut the gap down to 45 points which is credit to Verstappen for executing the maximum damage limitation possible. The gap between McLaren and Ferrari has gone up to 35 points.
There is a chance of rain tomorrow. Verstappen is brilliant in the wet, so things may revert in the driver's championship fight.

There is talk of VSC infringement by Verstappen, he may attract a penalty that may sap more points from him.

[Matthew]

5 second penalty for Verstappen , dropping him to P4.

[Nitrodaze]

5 second penalty for Verstappen , dropping him to P4.

But is on pole for the race on sunday due to the storm. The universe finds a way to balance things out

[airshifter]

But is on pole for the race on sunday due to the storm. The universe finds a way to balance things out

Nobody is on pole for the race until race qually takes place. And with that being delayed until Sunday morning, it's looking like there is a good chance the race will be impacted by rain, if it even takes place or runs long enough to count for points. And with a 5 place grid penalty for the engine change, at best Max is still on the back foot.

The race will take place earlier than usual, starting at 12:30 local time, in hopes they can beat the weather.



As for today, strange for McLaren to wait so long to switch the drivers. They had chances when Leclerc made a couple errors and fell out of DRS. And with the failing of Hulk's car, they almost still screwed it up. As for the VSC timing, I don't wade into the conspiracy theories that many embrace, but TBH it was a poor decision regardless IMHO. We watched the race leaders passing under yellow as Hulk walked out of the car, but then after that they finally imposed a VSC. I guess in the FIA's mind the lives of the track workers was more important than the life of Hulk. They should have flown the VSC as soon as it was apparent that the car would be left in a bad spot.

As for that, strange to me that they left Hulk out when smoking for laps before. It's not like there wasn't a warning that it was coming.


Though shaky in timing, McLaren did what they could to maximize point gain today. And Max did well to finally get Leclerc and somewhat minimize the damage the best he could. For a few laps there it looked like the only real advantage in the top 4 was Piastri in the clean air. The three behind all seemed to have a shot at things, even with Oscar falling back to give Lando the tow. Had Max gotten past Charles quick, the McLaren attitude of waiting ot swap could have really fallen apart quickly. If they are going to back Lando they need to be decisive in the when and how they do it.

[Used to be Starter]

As for today, strange for McLaren to wait so long to switch the drivers. They had chances when Leclerc made a couple errors and fell out of DRS. And with the failing of Hulk's car, they almost still screwed it up. As for the VSC timing, I don't wade into the conspiracy theories that many embrace, but TBH it was a poor decision regardless IMHO. We watched the race leaders passing under yellow as Hulk walked out of the car, but then after that they finally imposed a VSC. I guess in the FIA's mind the lives of the track workers was more important than the life of Hulk. They should have flown the VSC as soon as it was apparent that the car would be left in a bad spot.

You forget, that whether there was a virtual safety car or not, there was still a yellow at the incident. Hulk's car still needed to be cleared which I believe was the reason for the VSC. I also don't remember seeing any cars passing others in the yellow zone.

[saco0o]

lewis doing some laps here on the 90's McLaren V10. two things:
1) for f sake it becomes unacceptable to listen to the v6 hybrids after hearing a V10 (or a V8 when alonso did some laps that time on the old renault). f1 is just stupid for going away from these engines. hope the 100% synth fuel in the next years allow bigger engines to return.
of course modern smaller engines can do the job (like the 4cyl engines in super formula that are only some secs behind f1's in suzuka, for example) but booooy the sound is what makes it magical. we forget that because we accept and adapt.
2) lewis did a few laps... nobody looked to the car. honestly. everybody was just filming it. then they watch their vídeos on the phone while the car is on the other side of the circuit, then they film again when the car comes back. people DIDNT LOOKED to the actual car. Im serious. this is so black mirror
(said the guy on an internet forum)

[gm99]

What in the world was Stroll thinking there, driving his car into the gravel?

[Nitrodaze]

Red flag! F1 is at its very best right now. Who is going win this barmy race?