BREAKING NEWS: Hamilton’s Brazil Disqualification REVISITED and

Hamilton’s Brazil Disqualification and Verstappen’s Aggression: Revisiting 2021

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix, held at the iconic Interlagos circuit, has produced some of the most dramatic moments in Formula 1 history. After the race was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic, the 2021 edition saw a renewal of fierce rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with the two locked in an intense battle for the championship.

Brazil has long been a pivotal venue for F1. Between 2005 and 2009, it was the setting where champions like Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, and Jenson Button clinched their titles. In 2012, Sebastian Vettel secured his third championship in another memorable showdown at Interlagos. The 2021 race carried on this legacy as one of the most thrilling and controversial rounds of the season.

Hamilton’s Disqualification Shakes the Weekend

In what was shaping up to be the closest title fight since 2010, Verstappen entered the Sao Paulo weekend 19 points ahead of Hamilton with four races remaining. Mercedes led Red Bull by just one point in the constructors’ standings. It was also the final sprint event of the season, with the new format tested at three Grands Prix in 2021, including Sao Paulo.

Hamilton dominated in qualifying, finishing nearly half a second ahead of the competition, only to face a major setback. After the session, a routine inspection revealed that his DRS (Drag Reduction System) slot gap exceeded the allowed 85mm. The stewards deemed this a technical infringement, and Hamilton was disqualified, sending him to the back of the grid for the sprint race.

However, a twist emerged when video footage surfaced showing Verstappen touching Hamilton’s rear wing in parc ferme, a clear violation of F1 rules. Mercedes argued that this outside interference could have caused the DRS issue, but the stewards were unmoved. Verstappen was fined €50,000 for the infraction, but Hamilton’s disqualification remained in place, handing Verstappen a significant advantage as he prepared to start the sprint race from pole while Hamilton lined up in 20th.

Hamilton’s Incredible Fightback

Despite his disqualification, Hamilton was undeterred. In the 25-lap sprint, he charged through the field, finishing fifth, though only the top three finishers earned points. Verstappen collected two points for finishing second behind Valtteri Bottas, widening his championship lead. However, Hamilton faced another setback when Mercedes fitted a new internal combustion engine, exceeding his allocation and dropping him back to 10th for the main race.

Undeterred once again, Hamilton surged through the pack on race day, setting up a showdown with Verstappen just after the halfway point.

Verstappen’s Aggressive Tactics

On lap 48, Hamilton closed in on Verstappen with the aid of DRS, attempting to overtake around the outside at Turn 4. Verstappen, however, refused to yield, releasing his brakes and running both cars off the track. The incident sparked controversy, with many feeling that Verstappen had gone too far by forcing Hamilton off. The stewards briefly reviewed the move but ultimately decided not to take further action. By today’s rules, it is likely that Verstappen would have received at least a five-second penalty. Even Red Bull’s chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, later admitted that Verstappen’s defense had crossed the line.

Hamilton, undeterred, regrouped and made his move again on lap 59. This time, he feinted an inside pass into Turn 1, tricking Verstappen into covering the wrong line. With a better exit through the Senna Esses, Hamilton finally overtook Verstappen on the run to Turn 4, securing his 101st career victory with a 10.496-second margin over the Dutchman.

This win cut Verstappen’s lead to 14 points, setting up an intense finale as the season headed into its final races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix added another chapter to a season that had already seen high-profile collisions and controversy, with the ultimate showdown yet to come.