Race 21 - Brazillian GP 2024 [Sao Paulo]

[Nitrodaze]

On the current grid, Sir Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver to race this track with three wins. You probably would not believe that by his current showing in the current Mercedes. With Verstappen close behind with two wins. The most successful driver to ever race this track is the Meastro, Alain Prost with five wins. He sits above the red baron Michael Schumacher and the Argentinian, Carlos Reutemann with four wins each. Third place is jointly shared by Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel with three wins each.

We come into Sao Paulo sprint weekend in the wake of the Mexican GP controversies. Verstappen sees his championship lead cut to 47 points after a stinging 20-second penalty. As Verstappen reels from that one, so does McLaren as they see their Constructors-championship lead cut down to 29 points by Ferrari. Redbull also watches with frustration as they slip backwards to third in the constructors. Not taking Perez properly into consideration in their design efforts is now causing them problems, some may say.
These last four races are now so crucial to all concerned. Any slipups are most certainly going to be irrecoverably punitive. The demands on drivers and teams alike are high and nothing short of needing to produce flawless operation and execution at every race going forward.

McLaren has bounced back with a one-two grid start for the sprint. Noticeably, Verstappen qualifies fourth in front of a faster Ferrari of Sainz. Norris has to start well to keep Leclerc behind to be in place to benefit from a switch later in the race to take the race win. The one that matters the most is the Sunday race of course. If McLaren executes their operation efficiently, they are set to put some more points between themselves and Ferrari. And Verstappen is likely to see the difference to Norris drop considerably with two McLarden and two Ferrari ahead.

My money is on Verstappen pulling out a spectacular race to limit any loss go the minimum possible. It is going to be a cracking race.