Lewis Hamilton passed title rival Max Verstappen after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen’s advantage in the championship to 14 points.
His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.
His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday’s ‘sprint’ event.
It was a gripping conclusion to a weekend of bitterness and rancour between the two teams contesting the championship, and controversy both on and off the track.
The 101st victory of Hamilton’s career sent a powerful message of intent and is a potentially critical moment in the championship.
Had Verstappen held Hamilton off, he would have been able to finish second behind the Mercedes driver at the three remaining races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and still win the title.
Now, the title race is wide open and the two head to the Middle East with everything to play for. (BBC)
