Race Notes - Hamilton takes wet Brazilian GP

By Mark Karp

Lewis Hamilton won the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in his Mercedes GP, leading from start to finish in a rain soaked race, 11.455 seconds ahead of his team mate Nico Rosberg, and 21.481s ahead of Max Verstappen™s Red Bull in third place.

Hamilton took his first Brazilian win, and has now won on 24 circuits, and all the circuits on the current F1 calendar except for Azerbaijan. The win is Hamilton™s 52nd career win, and he now passes Alain Prost for second on the all-time list behind Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton closes to 12 points behind Rosberg in the drivers world championship, and the battle with Rosberg will be decided at the final race of the season in two weeks time in Abu Dhabi.

Sergio Perez (25.346s) in the Force India-Mercedes finished fourth, followed by Sebastian Vettel (26.334s) in the Ferrari was fifth, Carlos Sainz (29.160s) in the Toro Rosso-Ferrari was sixth, Nico Hulkenberg (29.827s) in the second Force India was seventh, Daniel Ricciardo (30.486s) in the second Red Bull was eighth, Felipe Nasr (42.620s) in the first points of the year for the Sauber-Ferrari, was ninth, and Fernando Alonso (44.432s) in the McLaren-Honda took the final point in tenth place.

Before the start the rain was drizzling, and it was expected to continue throughout the race. The start was delayed for 10 minutes, and a regular start was expected.

Grosjean has creashed his Haas coming around to the grid and is out of the car.

It is expected that everyone will start on full-wet tyres, but because they will not work well in the cold temperatures, expect some brave drivers to switch to intermediate wet tyres after 3 or 5 laps.

It is announced that the race will start behind the safety car. Look for the drivers to stop 3 or 4 times during the race for tyres.

The drivers start the race behind the safety car. Vettel reports, œThere is a lot of water on the straights, even between turnss 3 and 4, which wasn™t there earlier.

With lots of spray being kicked up Hamilton tells the team, œI can™t really see much behind the safety car - can you ask Charlie if I can hang slightly back - I can™t even see the lights.

Sainz reports, œit is possible to race, but yeah - on the limit.

Behind the safety car after 4 laps, Hamilton leads, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Perez, Alonso, and Bottas in tenth.

On lap 5 Red Bull asks Ricciardo if it is good to start the race yet, and he responds, œit™s getting close.

Magnussen reports, œit™s easily ready to race.

Hamilton reports that water is getting water inside his visor.

Verstappen reports, œI think we can start.

At the end of lap 7 the safety car comes in and the race begins, with Hamilton taking the lead ahead of Rosberg, Verstappen, and Raikkonen.

Magnussen pits for intermediate tyres right away. Verstappen closes up on Rosberg in second place.

On lap 9 Button pits for intermediates as well, even though the track is still v wet. Magnussen seems tlo

Alonso, Bottas, Kvyat, Massa, Palmer and Ericsson all pit on lap 10 for intermediates.

On lap 10 Vettel on full-wets spins but continues. Vettel gets going again, pits and takes on intermediate tyres.

Rosberg sets fast lap at 1m26.269s.

On lap 13 the first 12 runners are on full-wet tyres and the rest run on intermediates.

Ericsson spins on the hill up to the start straight - crashes and is out.

Rcciardo pits for intermediate tyres. Ferrari asks Raikkonen to pits for intermediates, but Raikkonen complains that he almost spun on full-wets.

The safety car is deployed. Rosberg tells the team that we are a far way from being able to run on intermediates.

Hamilton asks, œwas that someone on inters? There is still way too much standing water.

On lap 15 Mercedes report to Rosberg that they are expecting more rain in 15 minutes.

At lap 15 Hamilton leads Rosberg, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Sainz, Nasr, Ricciardo and Ocon in tenth. Verstappen, Ricciardo and those in 12th and further back all run on inters.

Perez spins behind the safety car but continues.

Magnussen

Ricciardo is being investigated for pitting after he pulled into the closed pits after Ericsson™s accident.

Magnussen reports, œit™s way too west now - it™s gone really wet.

Kvyat and Palmer both put on lap 19 - Kvyat for interns and Palmer for full-wets.

At the end of lap 19 the safety car pulls in and the race resumes with Hamilton and Rosberg leading - Raikkonen spins on the start straight and crashes. The safety car comes out again.

Raikkonen climbs out of his Ferrari and the stewards give the red flags and the race is suspended.

The cars pull off into the pits and stop, Hamilton leading Rosberg, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Sainz, Nast, Ricciardo, Ocon, and Wehrlein in tenth. Alonso, Bottas, Magnussen, Button, Vettel, Massa, Gutierrez, Kvyat and Palmer in 19th.

Should the race not continue at this point (less than 75% distance) half points would be awarded.

Ricciardo is handed a five-second penalty for entering the closed pit lane.

Massa is also handed a five-second penalty for overtaking before the safety car line.

After a 30 minutes stoppage, the stewards announce that the race will resume at 15:21 local time.

The cars roll out of the pits behind the safety car on lap 21, just as the rain has picked up a bit stronger - all drivers on full-wet tyres.

There are reports from some teams that harder rain is approaching the track.

Hamilton during the break has switched helmets.

On lap 23 Hulkenberg pits with a puncture, he drops from fourth to 15th.

Vettel tells the team, œstill quite bad.

Renault is reporting that Palmer has some damage to his car, after coming together with Kvyat.

Behind the safety car Hamilton leads Rosbergm Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Nasr, Ricciardo, Ocon and Wehrlein in tenth place.

Hamilton urges Charlie Whiting to get the race started.

Verstappen reports, œI think we can definitely racew now.

The stewards call for another red flag, and the drivers all return to the pits on lap 28. There are boos from the Brazilian fans.

Hamilton says, œThe track is fine.

Bottas says, œFor me it is wet weather - we are racing in it.

Hamilton follows up, "It is not even that wet now, I don™t know why we are stopping. This is extreme wet conditions - this is normal.

The rain comes down harder, as the drivers sheltered from the rain in the pits.

Under the red flag the order is Hamilton ahead of Rosberg, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Nasr, Ricciardo, Ocon, Wehrlein, and Alonso in tenth. Bottas in eleven, followed by Magnussen, Button, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Massa. Gutierrez and Kvyat in 18th place.

The stewards announce that they will start again in 10 minutes - at 16:02 local time.

The drivers get in their cars again, and the race is resumed behind the safety car on lap 29.

Ricciardo reports, œseems pretty similar, as the conditions before.

The safety car comes into the pits at the end of lap 31 and the race resumes w

ith Hamilton in the lead, ahead of Rosberg and Vertappen.

Out of the Senna S Verstappen passes Rosberg around the outside and takes second place.

Massa pits and takes a set of intermediates.

On lap 33 Ricciardo passes Sainz at the first corner to take fifth place.

Alonso takes ninth place.

The next lap Vettel passes Wehrlein for tenth place.

Verstappen sets fastest lap at 1m25.995s.

On lap 35 Button pits for inters.

Hamilton sets fast lap at 1m25.779s.

On lap 36 Bottas passes Wehrlein for 11th. Hulkenberg passes Magnuessen for 13th, then Wehelein for 12th.

Alonso passes Ocon for eighth.

Vettel passes Ocon for ninth.

On lap 36 Hamilton sets another fast lap, and has a 1.8s lead on Verstappen.

On lap 39 Verstappen half spins on the final corner, but continues after an incredible save, Rosberg closes up on the young dutchman.

Ricciardo closes on Perez in fourth place.

Bottas pits for inters.

On lap 41 Ricciardo pits for inters and rejoins in 11th.

Gutierrez passes Wehrlein for 13th place.

On lap 41 Hamilton sets fast lap at 1m25.681s, and then is beaten by Ricciardo on interns at 1m25.532s.

Vettel passes Alonso at turn 10 for seventh.

On lap 44 Verstappen pits from second place for interns and rejoins in fifth place.

Ocon makes an attempt to pass Hulkenberg in ninth but can™t make the pass.

Button complains that the interns are not dealing with hydroplanning, and that they need to pit for full-wets.

Button pits and takes full-wets.

Vettel passes Nasr for sixth place.

On lap 46 Rosberg has a half spin up the hill, but continues - now 18 seconds behind the leader.

On lap 48 in the final corner Massa crashes - the safety car is deployed as the Brazilian gets out of his Williams for his final home race.

Hamilton reports, œI had a bit of aquaplane moment just now, These tyres are getting low.

The drivers follow around the safety car, and on lap 50 Hamilton leads Rosberg, Perez, Sainz, Verstappen, Vettel, Nasr, Alonso, Hulkenberg, and Ricciardo in tenth place.

The crowds cheer for Massa who walks his way back to the pitlane carrying a Brazilian flag - and meets his wife and child.

Button complains that his McLaren is not working right and is a struggle to drive.

On lap 52 under the safety car Ricciardo and Wehrlein pit for full-wet tyres.

As of lap 53 the race is now officially full points, with 27 minutes remaining.

The field continues behind the safety car.

Hamilton complains that his tyres have lost all temperature. Rosberg questions how many more crashes do the officails want to see.

On lap 55 Verstappen pits for full-wet tyres and rejoins in 16th, complaining œit™s like a boat.

The safety car comes in at the end of lap 55 and the race continues again, with Hamilton in the lead, followed by Rosberg, Perez, Sainz, Vettel, Nasr, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Kvyat and Bottas in tenth - Alonso having spun on the run up the hill.

Ricciardo passes Bottas for tenth. Verstappen passes Bottas as well.

Hulkenberg challenges Nasr for sixth place.

On lap 60 Verstappen passes Ricciardo around the outside at turn 12 for tenth place, Hulkenberg passes Nasr for sixth.

Ricciardo chalenges Kvyat for tenth place.

Verstappen passes Ocon on the outside for eighth place.

Gutierrez is out of the race.

On lap 62 erstappen passes Nasr for seventh place. Ricciardo passes Ocon for ninth place.

On lap 64 Ricciardo passes Nasr for eighth on the outside of the first corner.

At lap 64 Hamilton holds a 7.8s lead over Rosberg, who is 12s ahead of Perez, Sainz, Vettel and Verstappen.

On lap 66 Verstappen battels with Vettel for fifth place and passes him, while Vettel is pushed wide to the edge of the track.

Two corners latter Verstappen passes Sainz for fourth. Verstappen sets fast lap at 1m25.305s and follows 1.2s behind Perez.

On lap 69 Verstappen closes on Perez takes third position from the Mexican.

On lap 70 Vettel passes Sainz for fifth into the first corner.

At the flag Hamilton wins ahead of Rosberg and Verstappen - the championship to be decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi.