F1 Brazil GP Live Updates: Today's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying
Friday, November 11, 2023
FP2: Hamilton storms to top, Verstappen struggles in midfield
Lewis Hamilton has put Mercedes on course for a potential sweep of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend by topping second practice at Interlagos. The seven-time world champion ended the session three-tenths clear of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, with team-mate George Russell third.
Max Verstappen, who starts Sunday's race from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty, could only manage P10 in the midfield. The Dutchman is expected to make an early stop in Saturday's sprint race to take on fresh tyres and charge through the field.
The session was red-flagged with just over 20 minutes remaining after Fernando Alonso's Alpine suffered an engine failure. The Spaniard was forced to stop on track, prompting a brief delay while the marshals cleared the wreckage.
Qualifying: Verstappen storms to pole as Hamilton takes penalty
Max Verstappen has taken a brilliant pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton set to start from 10th due to an engine penalty.
Verstappen was in a class of his own throughout qualifying, topping all three sessions on a damp Interlagos circuit. The Dutchman's time of 1:11.674 was almost half a second clear of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, with Sergio Perez third for Red Bull.
Hamilton had looked set to join the Red Bulls on the front row, but the seven-time world champion was handed a five-place grid penalty for taking a new internal combustion engine. The Mercedes driver will now start from 10th, with George Russell moving up to fifth.
Sprint Race: Verstappen wins, Hamilton P3
Max Verstappen has won the sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton finishing third despite starting from 10th on the grid.
Verstappen made a lightning start from pole position and quickly built up a lead over the chasing pack. The Dutchman was never headed, and he crossed the line almost two seconds clear of Carlos Sainz.
Hamilton made a brilliant start and was up to fifth by the end of the first lap. The seven-time world champion continued to charge through the field and was up to third by the halfway point of the race. Hamilton closed the gap to Sainz in the closing stages, but he was unable to make a move for second.
The result means that Verstappen will start Sunday's grand prix from pole position, with Sainz alongside him on the front row. Hamilton will start from third, with Russell fourth.
Grand Prix: Verstappen wins, Hamilton P2
Max Verstappen has won the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second and Carlos Sainz third.
Verstappen made a brilliant start from pole position and quickly built up a lead over the chasing pack. The Dutchman was never headed, and he crossed the line almost four seconds clear of Hamilton.
Hamilton made a good start from third on the grid, but he was unable to match Verstappen's pace. The seven-time world champion closed the gap to Verstappen in the closing stages, but he was unable to make a move for the lead.
Sainz finished third, ahead of George Russell and Sergio Perez. Fernando Alonso was sixth, ahead of Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, and Sebastian Vettel.
The result means that Verstappen has extended his lead in the drivers' championship standings to 21 points. With just two races remaining, the Dutchman is now the clear favorite to win his second world title.
