The Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo was marred by heavy rain, forcing drivers to contend with treacherous conditions on the track. The pole sitter, Lando Norris, ultimately secured the victory after a chaotic race that saw several leaders fall by the wayside. Generational talents among the sport’s veterans moved up through the field in the early wet laps, with Verstappen advancing from 21st to ninth within the first ten laps and Hamilton rising from 22nd to ninth on the opening tour.
Early Chaos and Pit Stops
By lap nine, Hamilton found himself locked in a battle with teammate Charles Leclerc following the bad blood between them from the Mexico City Grand Prix. The track began to dry, prompting Hamilton to request a switch to slick tires on lap 17 after he had slipped to 13th behind Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. He was initially told the crossover had not yet been reached, but he and Carlos Sainz in the Williams entered the pits on lap 15.
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Norris, along with Russell, Hadjar, Lawson, and Piastri, pitted on lap 17, though Russell suffered a spin at the pit exit after hitting a wet patch. The driver lost his position to Hadjar, falling from third to seventh after the incident. On lap 20, Kimi Antonelli, who had taken the lead on the opening lap alongside Liam Lawson, spun in turn one. Moments prior, he had radioed that something felt “weird,” but he rejoined in second place. He subsequently lost third to Verstappen on lap 25.
Final Laps Turn the Tide
Verstappen, running second, asked to pit again on lap 47 for new soft tires to attempt a second run through the field. He emerged ahead of Russell. Norris pitted on lap 50 as rain threatened the final ten laps. The wet weather returned on lap 59 of 71, forcing drivers to adapt again. Overtaking was disabled on lap 62 as conditions became mixed, and the remaining field squeezed into the pits on laps 62 and 63. Hamilton, still on slicks, spun on lap 63 but kept the car away from the barriers before finishing the race.
