Staff Reporter.
@F1.
Lewis Hamilton passed title rival Max Verstappen after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen’s advantage in the championship.
His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.
His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday’s ‘sprint’ event.
However, Hamilton is currently under investigation after being summoned to the stewards for an alleged breach of safety belt rules.
It was a gripping conclusion to a weekend of bitterness and rancour between the two teams contesting the championship, and controversy both on and off the track.
The 101st victory of Hamilton’s career sent a powerful message of intent and is a potentially critical moment in the championship.
Had Verstappen held Hamilton off, he would have been able to finish second behind the Mercedes driver at the three remaining races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and still win the title.
Now, the title race is wide open and the two head to the Middle East with everything to play for.
He is now 14 points behind Verstappen with three races remaining in the 2021 season; in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
“Coming into this weekend I never ever thought we would be able to close the gap like we had today,” said Hamilton, who enjoyed huge support from the Brazil fans.
“Then these things that just kept going against us but it really shows for everyone, never give up. Never, ever stop fighting and that’s how I’ve really approached this weekend.”
It was Hamilton’s first win in four races and only the second of his 101 F1 victories that came from lower than sixth on the grid. Toto Wolff called it the most satisfying win from his time in charge of Mercedes.
Verstappen meanwhile described his second place “damage limitation” and, while Mercedes have moved further ahead of Red Bull in the team standings with Bottas third, Sergio Perez took a fastest lap point off Hamilton from fourth.
Sao Paulo GP: Race result
1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
7) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
9) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
10) Lando Norris, McLaren.