Race Week in Brazil
Brazil Grand Prix Weekend Notes:
About the Grand Prix: The first Brazilian Grand Prix took place in 1972 as a non-championship race, officially joining the F1 calendar in 1973 at the Interlagos Circuit. After a stint at Jacarepaguá in Rio de Janeiro, F1 returned to an updated Interlagos circuit in 1990 and has been held in Sao Paulo.
About the Circuit:
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, or "Interlagos," is a fifteen-corner permanent motor racing circuit 4.309 km (2.677 miles) long. The race is 71 laps long and known for its intense wheel-to-wheel action and excitement.
Weekend Highlights:
MCLAREN. This is a step in the right direction for Lando; any weekend Lando outperforms Max, he continues the push to overtake Max for the WDC. While it's still a big stretch, until it's mathematically impossible, you have to push just in case. The possibility is getting smaller with each race, but the need to outperform Red Bull and Max Verstappen grows. Oscar has had two strange qualifying sessions at the COTA sprint race and in Mexico but has had excellent recovery races, which has held up the constructor's title. Oscar needs a solid race soon to get things back on track because Ferrari has brought new gear following the latest break.
Ferrari. Ferrari has been firing on all cylinders in the last two races, and Brazil could be a massive statement for the team. With a Chance to statistically still win both championships, the constructors title is much more of a reality and would be a massive accomplishment for Ferrari.
Red Bull. Max did enough to push the WDC another week, while Checo had another race that did not meet expectations. RB dropped another position in the constructors title, now in third place behind McLaren and Ferrari.
Mercedes is safe in both the constructors' and drivers' titles; the positioning can't change either. At this point, Mercedes is racing for bonus points. Can Lewis get another win or at least a podium in his last races with Mercedes?
Aston Martin. While Lance seems unable to catch a surging Nico Hulkenberg, is he out of the grasp of a charging Kevin Magnussen?
Haas is a wagon. Perhaps the most impressive team behind Ferrari's, Haas is competitive with both cars. Nico has claimed tenth in the drivers' standings, and Kevin is surging, currently 8 points behind Yuki for twelfth. I see no reason why Haas slows down anytime soon.
VCARB. VCARB needs to tighten up this last push. With Liam in the second seat, the team must buckle down and finish the season strong.
Williams. It could be a better weekend for Williams. A crash by Albon early in the weekend foreshadows a collision on the first lap of the Grand Prix. Franco had a solid weekend but was unable to finish in the points. Vibes will be high with Franco and the closest to a home race Franco will have this season.
Alpine. Pierre Gasly took one step closer to retaking eighth place from Williams after a Q3 appearance and a one-point tenth-place finish in Mexico. Alpine will need some luck, but it's entirely out of the picture.
Stake-sauber. One positive was the team's first Q2 appearance since Spa, with Valtteri Bottas starting fifteenth. Unable to turn a positive qualifying, the team is still pointless in the championship.
