Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda and the rest of the field into turn two at the start during the sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 13, 2021 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Brazilian Grand Prix: Starting grid – Sunday 14 November
Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas won the Sprint at Interlagos to take pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda and the rest of the field into turn two at the start during the sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 13, 2021 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas won the Sprint at Interlagos to take pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
Lewis Hamilton recovered from last place to fifth with a scintillating drive but will start tenth after taking a five-place grid penalty for an engine change.
“Of course, it was devastating,” Hamilton told Sky Sports of his disqualification.
“But you can’t let that hold you back, keep your head down, I’ve got to keep going.”
Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff was overjoyed at Hamilton’s performance.
“Brilliant job, damage limitation,” said Wolff on the team radio.
“Copy,” replied Hamilton. “It’s not over yet.”
Verstappen was overtaken by Bottas on the first corner and then briefly by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz before coming home in second place.
“The start itself wasn’t the best and then we were on the harder compound, that didn’t help,” said the Dutchman.
“I think the pace was quite good but around here once you close up you can’t really pass. But it’s OK.”
The Brazilian Grand Prix will start at 19:00.
Brazilian Grand Prix: Starting grid
| POS | NO | DRIVER | CAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | MERCEDES |
| 2 | 33 | Max Verstappen | RED BULL RACING HONDA |
| 3 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | FERRARI |
| 4 | 11 | Sergio Perez | RED BULL RACING HONDA |
| 5 | 4 | Lando Norris | MCLAREN MERCEDES |
| 6 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | FERRARI |
| 7 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | ALPHATAURI HONDA |
| 8 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | ALPINE RENAULT |
| 9 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES |
| 10 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | MERCEDES |
| 11 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | MCLAREN MERCEDES |
| 12 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | ALPINE RENAULT |
| 13 | 99 | Antonio Giovinazzi | ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI |
| 14 | 18 | Lance Stroll | ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES |
| 15 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | ALPHATAURI HONDA |
| 16 | 6 | Nicholas Latifi | WILLIAMS MERCEDES |
| 17 | 63 | George Russell | WILLIAMS MERCEDES |
| 18 | 7 | Kimi Räikkönen | ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI |
| 19 | 47 | Mick Schumacher | HAAS FERRARI |
| 20 | 9 | Nikita Mazepin | HAAS FERRARI |
Note – Hamilton penalised 5 grid places for use of additional power unit element.
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