Brazilian GP: Verstappen wins crazy race as both Ferraris crash out

Max Verstappen underlined his potential as a champion of future with a commanding victory for Red Bull in an astonishing and crash-hit Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. 22-year-old Dutchman on Sunday twice passed newly-crowned six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in a thrilling contest that h two safety car interventions and saw Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc clash and retire, before clinching eighth victory of his career.

Verstappen wins at Brazilian Grand Prix

His third win this season also me up for his disappointment in last year's race in Brazil when he looked certain to win before a late accident wrecked his hopes of victory.

He me most of pole position and finished a dominant winner ahe of his former Red Bull team-mate Pierre Gasly, w with Toro Rosso, as y delivered a Honda-powered one-two for Japanese company for first time since heyday of local hero Ayrton Senna.

Frenchman Gasly came home 0.062 seconds ahe of Hamilton, who finished third for Mercedes but was demoted to seventh following a post-race stewards' investigation after crashing with luckless Thai driver Alexander Albon, man who replaced Gasly at Red Bull, in final laps.

Re: Michael Schumacher’s Wife Corinna Is Hiding F1 Legend's Condition, Claims Ex-manr

Hamilton's demotion gifted McLaren's Carlos Sainz his first Formula One podium, subject to several or stewards' inquiries.

"Lewis was very quick," said Verstappen. 

"So I h to keep pushing all time. He pitted early so we h to be on top of our pit-stops and we h a good move on him.

"I could control race with tires I h, so, for me, it was unbelievable. It was a lot of fun out re and great to win race." 

He said his decisive second overtake of Hamilton was achieved thanks to his superior speed in rarefied atmosphere of 700-meter altitude Interlagos circuit.

"I was behind so I was pushing flat out on my out lap," he said. 

"We knew we h great top speed whole weekend -- but that was a guess -- and I'm very happy to have got past him!" Gasly screamed with delight at his good fortune on his slow-down lap.

Re: Alex Albon Retains Seat For F1 2020 Alongside Max Verstappen

First podium in F1

"This is my first podium in F1 and, for sure, I will never forget it," he said. It's such a special moment. So emotional...

"Toro Rosso have given me such a fantastic car since I came back. This is an amazing day... I was praying for engine to give everything it h -- without Honda, it would t have been possible." 

Hamilton was handed a five-second penalty and two points on his racing license.

"I fully accept it was my fault and I accept penalty," said Mercedes driver.

"I was driver behind and it was my mistake. I apologize massively to Alex -- gap was re, but it closed pretty quickly. It was completely my fault and I hold my hands up." 

Albon, who looked certain to finish on podium, came home 15th.

Sainz finished fourth on ro for McLaren ahe of two Alfa Romeos of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, seventh-placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault and Lando rris in second McLaren.

Sergio Perez of Racing Point finished ninth and Daniil Kvyat was 10th in second Toro Rosso, but all of results were subject to revision as stewards investigated a string of incidents late into evening.

Re: Toro Rosso To Stick With Daniil Kvyat & Pierre Gasly For F1 2020

Re: Lewis Hamilton And Mercedes' F1 Title Victory Hit By Trdy