Verstappen makes initial decision, Norris makes mistake

The Brazilian Formula 1 weekend was already in chaos ahead of Sunday due to rain. The Interlagos game also had unexpected twists and turns.

Max Verstappen wins the Brazilian Grand Prix. In a chaotic match in heavy rain, the Dutchman made no mistakes. He started in 17th place.

However, his pursuers at the World Championships made mistakes, especially Lando Norris, who ran off the track several times and ended up finishing sixth. He also has to worry about potential starting offense penalties. He is now 62 points behind Verstappen in the championship, who also received an extra point for fastest lap.

To a complete surprise, two French Alpine pilots, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, took the podium. Although Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas had a good starting position and ranked 11th, Zhou Guanyu came home empty-handed again, ranking 13th and 15th respectively.

The first retirement happened in Sao Paulo before the race even started. Lance Stroll also got caught in the gravel trap after hitting the tire wall slightly on the warm-up lap. The match was cancelled, and there was no way this weekend at the legendary stadium at Interlagos would be without drama and chaos.

The problem: Lando Norris and some guys behind him drove off after the game was stopped. Now, among other things, an investigation is underway against the Briton despite not even running a lap in the race. Stewards will not make a decision until after the Grand Prix.

When the race finally got underway, Norris once again failed to get out of the car and George Russell passed on the inside of the Mercedes. The start remains an issue for the World Cup challengers. Norris had failed to convert four of his six shots into wins prior to this match.

At the back, Verstappen gained seven positions in a short period of time before continuing to work his way up. He showed how good the 27-year-old Dutchman can be in such situations. Even without DRS overtaking assistance, he grabbed one after another, and Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri had to believe it, but he hardly made any resistance. At the front, Norris complained that he was too slow on the straight to pass Russell.

Before the rain got heavier, Haas's Nico Hulkenberg initiated a virtual safety car period, which Russell and Norris used to change tires. Verstappen stayed on the outside and was now suddenly second, behind the surprising leader Ocon and ahead of Gasly, Norris and Russell.

But then race officials sent out the safety car because the weather was too wet again. So much so that I bumped into someone again. Franco Colapinto devastated his Williams team – he and his team-mate Alexander Albon were red-carded during qualifying for a violent exit. The Albon couldn't even start due to the amount of repair work. For Shooting Star Colapinto, a week overshadowed by the death of his grandfather ended with his first major disappointment.

Just like Norris restarted after halftime. Instead of passing Gasly, he braked, went off track, and had to let Russell pass him again. At the front, Verstappen appeared to be holding on to safety in tricky conditions before overtaking Ocon after another safety car phase, with Norris continuing to brake again.

For Verstappen, who has led the World Cup for longer than previous record holder Michael Schumacher, this could be a battle with former pilot Sebastian Vettel for a fourth World Cup title The decisive race on the road will see Alain Prost catch up. Only record champions Lewis Hamilton and Schumacher (7) and Juan Manuel Fangio (5) have won more titles.