Lewis Hamilton wins the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after a dramatic overtaking of title rival Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton WINS an exciting Sao Paulo Grand Prix after starting 10th on the grid as the Mercedes driver resumes the title race with Max Verstappen as he narrows the championship gap at the Red Bull rival to 14 points
Lewis Hamilton drove brilliantly in the Brazilian Grand Prix – took a superb victory to reduce his inferiority in the world championships to Max Verstappen to an attractive 14 points.
The defending champion, who was chasing his eighth world title, jumped up from 10th place on the grid after an engine penalty, and used every bit of BHP in his super-powered Mercedes to the best advantage. He has seldom driven better.
For big rubbish of the 71-lap race, the two rivals scrapped the biggest prize in motor racing it, mano a mano. Barely a second, often less, separated Hamilton and Verstappen, the Dutchman who led for most of the afternoon.
Lewis Hamilton has won the Brazilian Grand Prix after a dramatic overtaking by Max Verstappen
The Mercedes star pays tribute to the crowd after the race, who supported him and cheered on his overtaking
Sir Lewis unveiled a Brazilian flag for the admiring masses after securing victory in Sao Paulo
Hamilton did not come far from passing Red Bull on lap 48. They broke through the open curves, only for Verstappen to cross and drive Hamilton out of space in a left-hand turn 4.
The incident was noted, but race director Michael Masi considered no action necessary. Hamilton was informed of the missing investigation and said sarcastically: ‘Of course not. Obvious.’
Hamilton was soon again all over Verstappen as a rash. He pinched his foot to the floor and passed the 24-year-old, who could not resist the attack. Hamilton zoomed past with some comfort on lap 59.
The stands were in fantastic astonishment.
Red Bulls Max Verstappen led the race for a long time but could not resist Hamilton’s progress
Verstappen pushed Hamilton off the field but Red Bull escaped all penalties
The defending champion emerged victorious from his captivating cat-and-rat game
Just a lap earlier, Verstappen had woven the entire store in an attempt to snatch Hamilton. He was awarded a black-and-white flag – the warning one-more-and-you are out. Pretty right.
Hamilton, who drove past seven rivals as if they were bollards during the first five laps, has now picked up speed on a weekend that has thrown a lot at him.
First the engine penalty and then relegated to the back of the sprint race to have an illegal hind wing.
Three races remain: in Qatar next week and then in Saudi Arabia on December 5 and Abu Dhabi on December 12. Seventy-eight points are to be won.
Pianist Joao Carlos Martins played Brazil’s national anthem on the track before the race began
Do you want to relive the events of a dramatic Grand Prix in Brazil? Follow live surveillance from Sportsmails MAX MATHEWS below, including build, all lap-by-lap updates and results.
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