Lewis Hamilton wins Brazilian GP after Max Verstappen gets hit by backmarker | sport

With his fifth title already acquired, Lewis Hamilton had been explicit: he wanted to end the season with vigor. Yet, while winning the Brazilian Grand Prix, it was an almost unexpected victory that had turned for a moment. Max Verstappen had a great shot but was not denied the first step after a clash that left his chances to fly, while Hamilton grabbed his head to make sure Mercedes won. his fifth consecutive title of world champion constructors.

The victory was far from unique.

While Hamilton's fifth driver's title is won in Mexico City, Mercedes tied Ferrari's.

Scuderia doubled his record of five consecutive drivers and builders with Michael Schumacher between 2000 and 2004.

"These guys have worked so hard in the last six years," Hamilton said. "It was an incredible trip. That's what we worked for every day. I always said it was such an honor to drive for them.

Team director Toto Wolff expressed the satisfaction his team felt after being pushed harder than ever at the time of turbo hybrids. "It was a very difficult season," he said. "We had some highs and lows, Ferrari came back in strength and Red Bull at the end, but that makes the field win even more enjoyable."

But the race was centered on Verstappen, who could barely contain his fury before the end. Hamilton started from pole and kept his lead but Mercedes could not push his tires because Red Bull's racing pace was strong and it soon became clear that the fight was against Verstappen

. Kimi Räikkönen, who finished third, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas, took second place in the 10 laps. He then performed a masterful relay, managing his tires and remaining 16 laps more than Hamilton before stopping. This allowed him to go out with faster flexible tires, which paid off. Four laps later, Hamilton was helpless against the additional grip of the Dutchman who allowed him to head out in the straight line of the race. # 39; s arrival.

The Dutchman was clearly in the race until lap 44. In the second lap, Esteban Ocon hit him. In the next round, the Dutchman lost five seconds to Hamilton and caused damage to his floor. Ocon took a turn trying to deflate, an unnecessary risk against the leader of the race who was leading in the turn. "What a bading idiot," was Verstappen's answer. Ocon was sentenced to a stop-go penalty for the incident and a cold comfort for Verstappen, who kept his flag lead.

Verstappen was naturally furious, a mood that clearly had not improved at the end of the race. the situation looked like an outbreak while he was repeatedly pushing Ocon into the weighing zone. "We are pbadionate about sport, it would be strange for me to shake his hand," he said. The two drivers were subsequently summoned to the stewards.

Verstappen could have given Ocon more room but was obviously not expecting the French to continue coming to him, which is understandable given that he was leading the race. "We did everything today," he said. "He [Ocon] was such a fool that he got fired while he was being trapped."

He was supported by Red Bull team manager Christian Horner. "As a torn car, you must not interfere with the leader," he said. "What did Ocon think, that begs in itself. It does not mean anything.

He also defended the actions of his driver after the race. "Esteban was lucky to be able to get away with all honesty. Max lost a victory without any fault on his part. It is extremely frustrating to lose a victory by the back.

For Hamilton, the victory was complete as he and his team had rightly celebrated. The record book will only show victory and the one that keeps an extraordinary record that illustrates its dominance for half a decade. He has recorded an average of 10 wins per season since 2014. Verstappen has once again proven his credentials, but the weekend has been reserved for Hamilton and Mercedes.