BEIJING: by F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton closed the gap on Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the 2021 Formula 1 world championship, overcoming grid penalties to scythe his way through the field and take a brilliant win in Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
A capacity crowd at the Interlagos circuit was treated to yet another classic duel between Hamilton and title rival Verstappen, with the two almost coming to blows once again as they diced for the lead late in the race, according to Xinhua.
Successive penalties for a new power unit and a rear wing infringement saw Hamilton line up only tenth on the grid, while Verstappen started second and appeared likely to extend his championship lead.
But though Verstappen seized the early initiative by snatching the lead from Hamilton's pole-sitting teammate Valtteri Bottas at the first corner, Hamilton made headway of his own and was up to third by lap five, trailing only Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez.
With his new power unit giving him the edge on the Interlagos circuit's straights, Hamilton breezed past Perez on lap 19 and then set off in pursuit of Verstappen, setting the stage for the season's latest epic battle between the two title protagonists.
While Hamilton clearly had the faster car, the Briton struggled to get close to Verstappen in the Dutchman's dirty air in the twisty middle section of the circuit, meaning the Red Bull was just out of reach of the faster Mercedes on the straights.
Hamilton thought he had made it past around the outside of Verstappen at turn four on lap 48, but both cars ran wide onto the run-off area and rejoined the track in their original positions, prompting some commentators to suggest that the Dutchman should be penalised for his robust defence.
Hamilton would not be denied 11 laps later though, breezing past the Dutchman to take his sixth win of an enthralling season.
"I was pushing as hard as I could. Coming into this weekend I never, ever thought we would be able to close the gap like we had today. Then these things just kept going against us, but it really shows for everyone, never give up. Never, ever stop fighting and that's how I've approached this weekend.
"It feels like the first (win) because I don't feel like I've had a win for a long time."
Behind the two title rivals, Bottas rounded out the podium places, with Perez finishing fourth and taking the bonus point for fastest lap.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fifth and sixth, ahead of Pierre Gasly in his AlphaTauri. Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso took eighth and ninth in their Alpines, with McLaren's Lando Norris rounding out the top ten.
In the drivers' championship, Verstappen still leads with 332.5 points, but Hamilton has closed the gap to 14 points. Bottas is third on 203 points.
In the constructors' standings, Mercedes retake the lead and now have 481.5 points, two ahead of Red Bull. Ferrari are third with 269.5.
The next round of the 2021 F1 world championship is the first ever Qatar Grand Prix on November 21.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Nov 15 2021
![Hamilton passes Verstappen to win F1 Sao Paulo GP Hamilton passes Verstappen to win F1 Sao Paulo GP](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/61636949251_LewisHamilton.jpg)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton closed the gap on Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the 2021 Formula 1 world championship, overcoming grid penalties to scythe his way through the field and take a brilliant win in Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix. - AP photo
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).