© Vladimir RysRace Changing Moments - São Paulo Grand Prix 2023It was an electrifying weekend in Brazil with nonstop action from Friday to Sunday. Here are the highs and lows from the 2023 São Paulo Grand Prix!
Round21ofthe2023seasonwasanotherdominantperformancefromMax,takingthewininboththeSprintRaceandtheGrandPrix.Checowasalsobacktoonform,finishingP3inthesprintandmissingoutonapodiumintheGrandPrixbythesmallestofmargins.
There’s plenty to look back on, so let’s get going…
The Team collected an impressive 51 points at the São Paulo Grand Prix, which saw another record tumble: The most constructors’ points in a season. Previously held by Mercedes who set it in 2016 with 765 points. The Team has smashed that with two races to go. However, there are still more records to aim for. In 2016 Mercedes also set the record for most wins in a single season. And with Max taking the chequered flag in Brazil, the Team has equalled that with 19 wins of their own. Vegas can’t come soon enough.
Top Sprint Race From Checo© Vladimir Rys
WhilstWe’reTalkingRecords
In a season where Max is breaking all the drivers’ records, he hit two milestones in São Paulo. The first saw him move up to fourth place on the most career wins list. With 52 victories he is now one win ahead of four-time World Champion Alain Prost. Max’s next win will see him equal Sebastian Vettel.
Max now also holds the highest percentage of wins in a season record. By wining in Brazil, Max has converted 85% of all races this season into a win. The previous record had been in place since 1952 when Alberto Ascari won six out of eight races giving him a win rate of 75%.
Win 17 Of The Season© Vladimir Rys
Don’tBlameItOnTheWeatherman
With dark clouds and high winds heading for the track in Friday’s qualifying session, the Bulls had one lap in Q3 to try and claim pole. Max was first out on the track with a plan to get a lap done before the bad weather hit.
Max was able to put in a push lap, but it wasn’t easy with the rain starting to fall and the wind picking up. If the conditions affected Max, it didn’t show. His run was quick enough for pole position. As soon as his lap was completed the rain fell hard and with the pit lane looking more like a night race, the session was brought to a close.
Very Wet Friday© Vladimir Rys
After his run, Max said: “The sky was black as we went out. The first sector was alright but the rain started coming in; the wind picked up and changed direction in the middle section which made it difficult to drive but the Team told me just to keep pushing. I have never experienced something that has had such a big influence on car balance.”
ChecoAndThePatienceOfASaint
Over the course of the Sprint Race Checo proved once again that he knows how to bide his time and that he’ll come good at the end.
In the 24-lap sprint race he was quickly overtaken by both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, but there was no panic from the Mexican driver.
Quick Stop For Checo, Well Done Team© Getty Images
Checo was able to get back past Hamilton on lap four. He first went for Russell at the start of lap seven and got in front at turn one. Russell stayed within DRS range and retook the place on turn four. Then a battle ensued between the two drivers that lasted until lap 10, when Checo took the inside line into turn one, forcing Russell onto the dirty part of the track and behind him into P4. Once Checo had powered past Russell, there was no coming back for the Mercedes driver. At the chequered flag – 14 laps later – he was 12.262s ahead of Russell.
Although it was a great fight back, Checo wanted more out of the Sprint, saying: “We had a terrible start and first lap, losing position to both Mercedes so that meant things were not as we wanted, we had to push hard and I had to make use of my tyres early on, so I ended up paying the price later on in the race.”
BrilliantBattleFromTheBull
Checo impressed in Sunday’s race, rising five positions to finish fourth, but his race will be remembered for his battle with Fernando Alonso for more than 20 laps of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The Bull had been on the tail of the Aston Martin driver for a few laps, but his medium tyres were gone and he was losing ground on the Spaniard. So, at the end of lap 47, Checo pitted for a set of scrubbed soft tyres. A lap later Alonso entered the pits for a fresh set of the red-walled tyres. When Alonso returned to the action, he was more than three seconds ahead of Checo. However, the Bull was on the charge and was soon within DRS range of the Aston Martin. It was a fantastic battle of cat and mouse with Alonso managing his battery well and Checo just loitering behind him. On the penultimate lap Checo made his move. He was able to get in front of Alonso and looked to have a podium finish in his hands, but with one lap remaining the wily old Alonso fought back and at turn four on the final lap he took P3 back from Checo. It was a photo finish at the chequered flag with Alonso pipping Checo by just 0.053s.
After the race a contented Checo said: “We came really close to the podium. I have to say well done to Fernando because it was a great fight and really fair racing. Between us, whoever got the podium, it was well deserved, and he got it.”
Team Principal Christian Horner agreed with his driver. “Checo had a brilliant drive, back to the form we know so well. He gave as good as he got against Alonso but unfortunately was just pipped at the post. Checo has put 12 points on his nearest rival and is 32 points ahead with two races to go, if he beats him [Hamilton] in Vegas it’s job done!”
Bulls Rolling Out© Vladimir Rys