The 2021 F1 season is fast approaching it's final lap with only four races until the chequered flag comes down. This week we're in Brazil before the field heads off the the Middle East.
Max Verstappen, is currently in pole position to claim the title with the Dutchman’s win in Mexico last weekend seeing him pull 19 points clear of reigning Drivers’ champion, Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton will be going all out to close that gap before the teams leave the Amercas behind and head to the Middle East.
Brazilian Grand Prix
Sunday 14 November
Autodromo Carlos Pace
To Win Race
Max Verstappen 6/10
Lewis Hamilton 9/4
Sergio Perez 10/1
Valtteri Bottas 20/1
Pierre Gasly 50/1
Charles LeClerc 50/1
Previous Race
A flying start from the flying Dutchman out in Mexico saw Verstappen extend his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings. Having overtaken the two Mercedes boys off the grid, Verstappen showed great racing maturity to make it two wins from two starts in the Americas.
Lewis Hamilton did however ensure his title rival would open up the minimal of gaps as the Brit secured second spot bringing his car home ahead of Sergio Perez, who made it a great day for Red Bull who are now only 11 points behind Mercedes on the Constructors’ standings
Ferrari dominated the rest of the top six with Charles Leclerc (fifth) and Carlos Sainz (sixth) bringing their Prancings Stags home behind the AlphaTauri of Piere Gasly.
It was Ferrari veteran city in the rest of the top 10 as ex-drivers Sebastian Vettel (seventh), Kimi Raikonnen (eighth), Fernando Alonso (ninth) took the next three berths. The final points-scoring position was taken by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Ride onboard with drivers across the grid as we relive a bonkers race start! 😅#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/GEAWvD7bo5
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2021
The Track - Autódromo José Carlos Pace
The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace hosted its first Grand Prix way back in 1976 and instantly became a favourite amongst drivers and spectators alike. While this is mainly due to the sun-kissed beaches and amazing weather that Sao Paulo is blessed with, the local fans also play a key role in the Grand Prix being so popular.
The natives are passionate about their racing, mainly due to the legacy of Ayton Senna. The Sao Paulo native was one of the finest drivers to ever take to the track and is still an inspiration to the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
The total race distance measures 305.909 kilometres and is made up of 71 laps, with each lap spanning a distance of 4.309 kilometres and containing 15 corners. There are some extremely long straights which will favour the upper echelons of the field. We’re likely to see a lot of overtaking on these straights especially with the two DRS zones situated on the longest straights: between corners three and four, and the start/finish straight.
In terms of the weather for this weekend, the local weather bureau is predicting a bit of rain for Friday’s practice sessions while there’s also some rain forecast for Saturday’s qualifying sessions at present. Sunday looks to be more promising with hardly any rain being forecast.
Last year’s race was cancelled due to COVID 19 which means our latest race results are from 2019. Max Verstappen took race honours back then, with Pierre Gasly finishing second and Carlos Sainz rounding out the podium.
Value Bet
Carlos Sain – Podum – Yes 5/1
While Sainz hasn’t been in the greatest of form in the Americas, he has claimed a couple of podium berths this term and he has a decent recent record out in Brazil having finished third at this venue in 2019. I’ll be having a small crack on him to repeat the feat this coming Sunday
To Win Race
Max Verstappen @ 6/10
The Red Bull man is on a roll having won the United States and Mexican Grand Prix. He also has a very handy record out in Brazil winning the 2019 edition of the race while finishing second in 2018 and third in 2016. Bet against Max edging closer to the title at your peril.
