Leclerc’s run of misfortune and a chaotic start in Interlagos
The Interlagos circuit, known for its tight bends and limited overtaking opportunities, always delivers drama. Qualifying on Friday featured favorable and challenging weather, and Sunday’s race brought its own twists. Charles Leclerc found himself in second on the grid behind Max Verstappen, but during the formation lap he lost control of his Ferrari and collided with the wall, eliminating any chance of starting the race. “How can I be so unlucky?” the Monegasque driver wondered, as damage forced his retirement before the action began.
The misfortune opened doors for the two Aston Martins, who automatically gained second and third places on the grid. Fernando Alonso, a veteran of masterful starts, could not capitalize on the early advantage to leap ahead of the two cars at Silverstone on the first corner. Lando Norris, meanwhile, threaded a superb pass to seize positions from the leaders, demonstrating the pace of McLaren and the challenge it posed to the frontrunners.
What followed was a chaotic sequence. A heavy collision involving Alexander Albon and Kevin Magnussen halted the field, ending their race before a single lap could be completed and prompting a red flag. The early drama created a window for the survivors to recover and reframe their strategies as the field regrouped.
Best moments of the race flashed across the screens as Albon and Magnussen faced the wall in a frightening scramble—an image that underscored the unforgiving nature of the Interlagos track and the high stakes of every move on it.
In the meantime Norris pressed on and Verstappen responded with calm authority. Alonso, aggressively chasing Hamilton, overtook the Briton to reclaim third place, signaling the speed and intent of the red‑hot midfield and title contenders who had gathered for this pivotal race. The pace of Red Bull and McLaren was clear, and Alonso’s plan was to beat Mercedes and maximize his podium chances.
Norris refused to yield. He locked on to Verstappen and kept the pressure on, a sign of the relentless competition that defined the Sao Paulo weekend. Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll found themselves climbing steadily, with Stroll moving into fourth as the race unfolded and the Canadian, eager to cash in on his best chance of the season, pressed forward from the positions he began with. By the end of 18 laps, Sainz had advanced several places, leaving Russell and Hamilton trailing well behind the leaders.
Aston Martin’s Alonso dominates the virtual podium chase
Mercedes initiated a pit strategy with Russell, and Red Bull called Checo to the pits for a tire change, a decision that shaped the trajectory of the race as Hamilton braced for another showdown. The Mexican driver later vented on the radio about the new strategy, which put him back into a direct duel with the seven-time champion, a duel he could not quite win as Hamilton defended his position.
New tire management rules and the hot Interlagos temperatures intensified the ending, with Stroll climbing into the top five and Alonso staying locked in a virtual podium position. Alonso’s pit stop was flawless, preserving third place and sustaining his hold on the podium despite the fluctuating pace of the field with forty laps remaining.
The A-team on the pit wall kept a keen eye on tire wear as the race wore on. The Silver Arrows, strong at the same venue last year, could not recapture that form this weekend. Both drivers encountered reliability issues in the sprint and in the main race, limiting their chances to challenge the leaders and highlighting the gap to the frontrunners.
Verstappen remained composed, maintaining a comfortable buffer as Norris shadowed him by several seconds. Alonso’s duel with Checo intensified as the two hunted for every possible advantage, with Alonso seeking to close the gap and keep the pressure on the Mexican in the closing stages. Perez attempted an undercut, but Alonso executed a fast response that allowed him to extend his advantage on the final laps.
Perez fought to defend second place against Hamilton, but Alonso’s relentless drive kept him ahead, showcasing a masterclass in using the AMR23’s strengths in the late stages of the race. The battle for second continued right to the finish line, while Verstappen clinched his 17th victory of the season, edging Norris by a clear margin and reinforcing his dominance in the championship chase.
In the end, Alonso’s performance, marked by strategic acumen and on-track aggression, earned him eighth podium of the season, a testament to his consistency and skill across a demanding calendar. Stroll joined the celebration in the top five, completing a strong weekend for Aston Martin as Verstappen sealed another win to pad his season-long lead.