Formula One: Predicting the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix

The Formula One contingent has touched down in Brazil. The 20th round of the ongoing F1 Championship will take place at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo.

Lewis Hamilton clinched his sixth World Driver Championship in USA with a second place finish. The British driver is now only behind the legendary Michael Schumacher,  who stands atop with seven titles.

With the title in the bag, Hamilton will have the license to go all guns blazing. He can race aggressively with no pressure, which may turn out to be entertaining for the fans and pundits alike.

Brazilian Grand Prix is the second last race of the year and with all the titles already decided, may prove out to be one of the most action packed races in recent times. Let’s look at the past winner, the circuit specification and predict who will come up trumps in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Who won the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix?

In 2018, Max Verstappen was leading the race until , on lap 44, he made contact with Esteban Ocon causing both drivers to spin allowing Hamilton to take the lead and eventually the win. It was Hamilton’s tenth victory of the season.

The British driver had already claimed  the World Driver Championship and with Bottas finishing fifth, Mercedes were able to claim it’s fifth consecutive World Constructor Championship.

What are the pole positions for the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing took his second pole of the season and his career with a time of 1:04.508. Red Bull racing have their fifth pole of the entire hybrid era and their first Brazil pole since 2013.

Sebastien Vettel of Ferrari was a close second. He will be followed by the two Mercedes’ of 2019 Champion Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

What are the specifications of Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace?

First Grand Prix hosted: 1973

Total Laps: 71

Number of turns: 15 

Circuit length: 4.309 km

Race distance: 305.909 km

Race lap record: 1:10:540 (Valtteri Bottas, 2018)

Most wins: Alain Prost ( 6 times)

Most successful constructor: McLaren ( 12 wins)

2018 Brazilian Grand Prix winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

What are the 2019 World Drivers’ Championship standings?

Lewis Hamilton clinched his sixth F1 World Championship at the USA Grand Prix. The ‘Billion Dollar Man’ has.won ten out of the 19 races in the ongoing World Drivers’ Championship. The British driver has 381 points to his name and is currently leading the points table with a lead of 67 points. 

Mercedes is ruling the standings once again as Valtteri Bottas is in the second position with 314 points, while Charles Leclerc of Ferrari is in the third position with 249 points.

Prediction for the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen race prospects look strong as the pole leader has won five of the last six Brazilian Grands Prix. Red Bull cars were surprisingly fast on the straight-line and may well win the race given that they start at the pole.

The Dutchman has some unfinished business at the Interlagos. He would look to finish what he nearly managed last year, when a mishap prevented him from claiming a comfortable win. 

Although, the only time in the last six Brazilian Grands Prix that the pole leader didn't win was when Sebastian Vettel took victory from second on the grid in 2017 and he starts second tomorrow.

Lewis Hamilton has the World title in his bag and he would want to enjoy himself in these last two races of the season. He starts from the third on the grid and may well give some tough fight to pole leaders.

Valtteri Bottas would like to end the season on a high so as to gain confidence for the upcoming season. He will most likely finish as the runner up in the driver standings at the end of the season and may want to go one better next year.

World Champion Hamilton may have some fun but the two prime candidates for the win are Verstappen and Vettel. Ferrari and Red Bull possess two of the fastest cars going around. This would prove beneficial in claiming the win at a circuit, which favours the pole leaders.

Cover image credits: Skysports