Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 5, 2023.
Amanda Perobelli | Reuters
Three-time champion Max Verstappen led from the start and won the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez finished in fourth place, moving away from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in one of the few competitions left this season – a position ahead of second place.
Perez almost took the podium from third-place Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, but the Spaniard saw the checkered flag 0.053 seconds ahead of the Mexican.
The two raced for position in the three final laps of the race, with the Red Bull driver overtaking Alonso once and then losing the position. McLaren’s Lando Norris finished second at Interlagos.
“For me it was about thirty laps,” Alonso said after being chased by Perez.
Perez leaves South America 32 points ahead of Hamilton with two races remaining: Las Vegas on November 19 and Abu Dhabi a week later.
Perez started the race at Interlagos ninth and fan-favourite Hamilton fifth after a frustrating qualifying for the Red Bull driver on Friday. He showed some improvement in the sprint race on Saturday and later said he felt more confident for the Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was due to start second, crashed during the formation lap before the start due to an engine problem.
A red flag after the second lap due to a crash involving Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and Williams’ Alex Albon gave Red Bull drivers more time to look for improvements.
Verstappen took his 17th win and never lost the lead, while Perez had an aggressive drive to meet Hamilton. On the 18th lap, the Red Bull driver overtook the Mercedes for fifth place, much to the disappointment of the Brazilian fans who support the seven-time champion.
Formula 1 will race in Sao Paulo at least until 2030, the organizers announced on Friday.
“The whole race was about tire management,” Verstappen said after the race. “Las Vegas will be new for everyone, full of surprises, I’m sure.”