Brazilian Grand Prix 2019
The end of the Formula 1 season may not have much drama in the way of championship races with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes already sewing up this year’s titles.
But there was no shortage of incident at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which produced a blockbuster finish that saw Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claim victory and Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc crashing into one another.
Verstappen had a brilliant drive and staked his claim for being the best of the rest behind Hamilton heading into next season.
Meanwhile, more questions will be asked about the two Scuderia drivers, who have had more than their fair share of drama in 2019.
Highlights of the game
Verstappen was dominant during qualifying as he recorded the fastest time in Q1, Q2, and Q3 to take pole position. It was the Dutch driver’s first pole since the Hungarian Grand Prix, and it did certainly helped improve his Brazilian Grand Prix 2019 betting odds ahead of the race itself.
And right behind him were the Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and newly crowned champion Lewis Hamilton in third. The other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc finished fourth in qualifying but received a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his quota for power unit components.
Verstappen had a good start to the race, as did Hamilton, who quickly overtook Vettel for second place with a nice move from the outside. Leclerc also made his way up the order and was already up to eighth by the fifth lap.
And there were more Brazilian Grand Prix 2019 highlights to come in lap 8 as Daniel Ricciardo crashed into Kevin Magnussen, leaving the Renault driver’s front win hanging off. As a result of the tussle, both drivers went tumbling down the order. Magnussen didn’t hide his frustration at Ricciardo, calling the Renault man a “(expletive) idiot” on the team radio.
By lap 10, Leclerc had already gained eight places and was up to sixth. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was slowly inching his way toward making a move on Verstappen, who reported some concern about his tyres.
However, Hamilton is the first to enter the pits on lap 21 and Verstappen follows the very same lap. But upon exiting the pits, the Red Bull driver got caught behind Williams’ Robert Kubica, which delayed him enough for Hamilton to go ahead of Verstappen.
Hamilton’s advantage was short-lived as Verstappen overtook the Mercedes within a single lap. Hamilton tried to hit back the following lap, but Verstappen was able to close the door on the champion.
After Vettel and Valtteri Bottas made their first stops, Verstappen reclaimed the lead of the race. Hamilton remained in second, unable to mount a firm challenge, possibly due to his tyres.
Mercedes make their second stops starting with Bottas on lap 42 and Hamilton following shortly on lap 44. Verstappen also comes in a lap later, and after a terrific stop by his team, re-enters ahead of Hamilton.
Verstappen reclaimed the lead after Vettel’s stop on lap 50, but by then Hamilton had cut the lead down to under a second. Unfortunately, though, the safety car comes out after Bottas’ retirement.
Verstappen takes the opportunity to dive back into the pits during the safety car, giving Hamilton the lead. And once the safety car finally went away, the Red Bull charged back into the lead with a great move.
There was also a battle brewing behind those two with Alex Albon, Vettel, and Leclerc jockeying for position. The Red Bull driver had overtaken both for third place. But instead of either Ferrari taking that place final podium spot, they took each other out of the race with just five laps left.
But the late drama wasn’t done as another crash takes place just a lap after the safety car goes off. This time, Hamilton and Albon came together. The Toro Rosso’s podium dreams were dashed, while Hamilton was assessed a five-second penalty for causing the collision, which sent him from third to seventh.
As a result of Hamilton’s demotion, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Pierre Gasly were Verstappen’s two unlikely companions on the podium after a bonkers Brazilian Grand Prix.
Key statistics
Verstappen’s win in Brazil was his third of season and the eighth of his career but the first from pole in his Formula 1 career.
Gasly’s second place – his first podium finish in F1– was Toro Rosso’s best finish since Sebastian Vettel won the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, who finished third, secured his first F1 podium finish and the 100th in F1 history for a Spanish driver.
What’s next?
The Formula 1 season is set to come to a close on the first day of December with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Like many other races on the calendar, Mercedes have dominated this race in recent years. They’ve won it each of the last five years, with Hamilton coming in as the defending champion.
Just like last season, Hamilton will look to cap off another championship-winning season with victory, and the SBOBET odds for the race will likely have him favoured to do just that.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FORMULA 1 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
