Race – Brazil: Nico Rosberg did not falter

Even before the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix, there were already twists: Carlos Sainz was indeed blocked at the end of the pit lane after stalling during his start simulation. His mechanics then decided to have him start from the pits, although he had a good chance with a solid 10th place on the grid.

Trouble already for @carlosainz as the drivers warm up #BrazilGP #GPBrasilF1 pic.twitter.com/Tbyp8F3V7H

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015

Similarly, it is worth noting some concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes. When the Mercedes returned from Parc Fermé last night, traces of fire were detected on its gearbox. Nevertheless, during grid placement, there didn’t seem to be any major problems for the Briton, allowing him to take the start.

A controversy also erupted regarding the protocol: while one might have expected a minute of silence in tribute to the Paris attacks, the FIA chose to pay homage to the thousands of daily victims of road accidents, as Jean Todt had already done during a press briefing earlier in the weekend! However, the FOM did choose to show a tribute to Paris as an overlay on the television broadcasts… Similarly, Romain Grosjean brought a French flag, carried by some of his colleagues.

A minute’s silence on the grid before the #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/3feyVDTEsz

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015

At the first turn, Nico Rosberg makes his presence felt against his teammate by widening his trajectory. Therefore, he can maintain the benefit of his pole position. Behind him, the two Ferraris keep their places, while Valtteri Bottas is able to compensate for his three-place penalty as he climbs back up to 5th place and could even have attempted to overtake his compatriot, Kimi Räikkönen.

From the second sector, Carlos Sainz’s race is already over. It seems that his problem during the grid formation was not a simple stall. Although there was a yellow flag, it wasn’t necessary to deploy the safety car.

YELLOW FLAGS: Carlos Sainz pulls over and his race is run. “I have no power,” he says #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/GCVGluKT4Q

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015

From the fourth lap, we see that Daniel Ricciardo is attempting an alternate strategy by already making his first tire change.

At lap 10, the top 10 is as follows: Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel, Räikkönen, Bottas, Kvyat, Massa, Perez, Verstappen, Grosjean. Nico Hülkenberg then makes his tire change. A large part of the field quickly follows suit.

Thus among the leaders, it’s Kimi Räikkönen who is the first to make his change on the 13th lap; he is followed by Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel the very next lap. But the stop for the German from Mercedes is somewhat long since he stopped for 4.4 seconds. Fortunately for him, as Lewis Hamilton’s stop is only 3.8 seconds, the Briton cannot take advantage of it to take the lead.

In the wake, the pace of the two drivers increases significantly. Lewis Hamilton comes back within the one-second window to activate his DRS and close in on his rival.

HAMILTON to Mercedes: “My tyres are not gonna last” #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/a3sbBREaJH

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015

Nevertheless, the Englishman is well aware that he cannot stay too close to his rival if he wants to conserve his tires. Thus, he wonders if he can change strategy to try to overtake, as the Interlagos track is not favorable for on-track overtakes. After closely following Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton intentionally drops back, settling at two seconds behind to be able to go further in this stint.

On the 30th lap, the standings remain: Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel, Räikkönen, Bottas, Hülkenberg, Kvyat, Massa, Perez, Verstappen.

But the end of this top 10 is the subject of a fierce battle as Perez has to watch his mirrors, with Romain Grosjean just behind the Dutchman. On the 32nd lap, Max Verstappen finds an opening at the end of the pit straight. He positions himself on the outside of the first corner to be on the inside for the second corner. The bold maneuver works. Sergio Perez loses a lot as Romain Grosjean is also able to overtake him.

Lap 32/71: Verstappen pulls off an incredibly gutsy move to take Perez through Turn 1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/lTzYwaMGC9

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015

At the 34th lap, Sebastian Vettel tries to adjust his strategy by pitting, but Nico Rosberg imitates him the very next lap. Likewise, Lewis Hamilton follows a lap later. But the Briton has to come out behind Fernando Alonso’s McLaren and, most importantly, Kimi Räikkönen’s Ferrari, causing him to lose contact with the lead.

Behind, we find Pastor Maldonado in his element, with a collision at the end of the straight with Marcus Ericsson. This leads to an investigation by the stewards, resulting in a five-second penalty at the end of the race.

Lap 36/71: Ericsson and Maldonado collide at Turn 1 and the stewards will investigate #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/NlljP1mbSI

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015

On the 41st lap, Romain Grosjean also finds an opening on Max Verstappen and moves up to 10th place since Pastor Maldonado has not stopped a second time yet and is therefore in 7th.

At the 48th lap, Sebastian Vettel stops again. Again, Nico Rosberg imitates him one lap later while Lewis Hamilton does the same yet another lap later. Both Mercedes drivers are thus on an identical strategy and will have to separate themselves on the track.

A difficulty for the German is that he finds himself behind many stragglers. In order to prevent his teammate from catching up too quickly, Nico Rosberg sets the fastest lap of the race at 1:15:1, but Lewis Hamilton does even better at 1:14:832. He therefore closes the gap to one second, promising an eventful end to the race.

15 laps to go, the standings are still: Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel, Räikkönen, Bottas, Hülkenberg, Kvyat, Massa, Grosjean, Verstappen.

Thanks to his offbeat strategy, Pastor Maldonado managed to slip into the top 10, but he must let his teammate with fresher tires pass. He has to try to maintain the gap with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to stay in the points. But the Dutchman attacks and passes his rival two laps from the end, allowing him to snag the point for 10th place.

With this victory, Nico Rosberg is guaranteed to finish as runner-up in the world championship once again because Sebastian Vettel can no longer overtake him. Similarly, Williams is also certain to maintain its third place in the Constructors’ Championship.

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (END OF RACE) #BrazilGP #GPBrasilF1 #F1Brasil pic.twitter.com/nBHvpyhnOo

— Formula 1 (@F1) 15 Novembre 2015