Russell up a win 🏁🇧🇷
I didn't write about the Mexican GP. It wasn't very exciting. Verstappen won, but got in a snit because a TV reporter said that Hamilton was "robbed" of the championship last year. I agree that he was robbed, nobody suggested that Verstappen stole it. Verstappen can be an arse sometimes.
So we arrive in Brazil at a track that everyone likes. As usual, it rained and fastest in qualifying was Kevin Magnussen, who was delighted. His team mate, (son of) Schumacher, was slowest, so Haas had two amazing results.
It was a sprint race weekend (qualifying a day earlier, extra short race on Saturday). People are sniffy about sprints - "everyone will be too cautious". But last year Hamilton made the sprint spectacular, and this year it was fun too. Magnussen kept his lead for a couple of laps. Verstappen actually looked beatable, and got passed by Russell, Sainz and Hamilton. He defended hard, but didn't do anything as wild as he did here last year. Sometimes Verstappen isn't an arse. Russell won, but it's only the sprint, not the Grand Prix...
In the main race, Russell stayed ahead at the start. After a few laps, Verstappen and Hamilton tried the argy-bargy they did so often last year, and Verstappen had damage. A touch from Norris put Leclerc into the barriers but he didn't break much and still ended up fourth. It looked like safety car restarts might let Hamilton challenge Russell, but they were evenly matched. Russell won, but didn't have it easy. He had a good old cry.
Perez had let Verstappen by to see if he could pass Alsono. He couldn't. He was told repeatedly to give the place back to Perez and refused vehemently and petulantly. Later he refused to explain his refusal. It makes no difference to him if he's sixth or seventh, but the extra points could help Perez get second in the championship. Verstappen can be an arse sometimes.
Sometimes it's hard to see the point of racing after the championship is decided. But sometimes that means that everything matters a bit less and people are less cautious. I bet Mercedes wish they'd had the pace they showed here a little earlier in the year.
Only one race left.
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