Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel wins the Brazilian GP

Sebastian Vettel emerged victorious this weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix as he held off Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes. Bottas finished in second place after starting from the pole position ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, who secured third with just 0.8 seconds between him and fourth placed Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton started from the pit lane after crashing out in Q1 on Saturday. Thanks to a 1-stop strategy and some quick driving, the 2017 World Champion quickly moved his way up into the top 5. At one stage, Hamilton was leading the race but dropped to fifth, behind Max Verstappen after the second round of pit stops. Lewis went on to finish ahead of Verstappen in the Red Bull. 

Daniel Ricciardo started in P14 and was caught up in a first lap incident that took out Stoffel Vandoorne’s McLaren and Kevin Magnussen in the Haas. The Australian eventually finished in sixth.

Felipe Massa announced his retirement this weekend. He came seventh in his final home race after a closely fought battle with McLaren’s Fernando Alonso who had to settle for the eighth place. Sergio Perez finished in ninth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg in 10th.

Esteban Ocon’s 27 race finishing streak was cut short after a first lap collision with Haas’ Romain Grosjean. While Ocon retired from the race, Grosjean was handed a 10 second time penalty for causing a collision. Rookie Brendon Hartley in the Torro Rosso was the only other retiree.

Hamilton has already secured the 2017 world title and leads Vettel with 43 championship points. The fight is now on for the second spot with one race to go. Despite a win in Brazil, the gap between Vettel and Bottas in third place is just 22 points. 

The last race of the season will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 29, 2017.

World Drivers' Championship standings:

Lewis Hamilton - 345

Sebastian Vettel - 302

Valtteri Bottas - 280

World Constructors' Championship standings:

Mercedes - 625

Ferrari - 495

Red Bull - 358