13
November
2016
|
21:58
Europe/Amsterdam

2016 Brazilian Grand Prix - Race

MERCEDES DRIVER LEWIS HAMILTON WINS A RAIN-AFFECTED BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX TO CLOSE UP CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT

ONLY CINTURATO INTERMEDIATE AND WET TYRES USED THROUGHOUT THE ACTION-PACKED RACE

RED FLAGS AND SAFETY CARS INFLUENCE STRATEGY: HAMILTON TAKES VICTORY, MANY GREAT DRIVES IN EXTREME CONDITIONS

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won a wet and interrupted Brazilian Grand Prix using the Cinturato Blue full wet tyre only, following two days of largely dry running at Interlagos. Because of the heavy rain, the race started behind the safety car, with all the drivers using Pirelli’s Cinturato Blue full wet tyres as per the regulations. Another early safety car was used by some teams, including Red Bull, as an opportunity to change onto intermediates – with Max Verstappen rejoining the race in fourth place as the highest-placed intermediate runner. Following an accident for Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, there was a lengthy red flag period after lap 20, with the race starting behind the safety car once more. The safety car led for only seven laps before another red flag came out, with a second re-start behind the safety car. Only a few laps later, some drivers switched onto the intermediate tyre as the rain continued to fall, with the crossover point established after Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo started to set purple sector times. However, heavier rain then meant that the full wet was the tyre to finish the race. As the race began in wet conditions, there was no longer any obligation to use any of the slick tyres, with drivers running only the full wet and intermediate throughout the entirety of the interrupted race. Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director: “We were treated to a fantastic spectacle in very tricky conditions, with some drivers using both the wet and intermediate tyres to pull off some great overtaking moves, with wheel to wheel racing. Most of all, we’re delighted that the fans finally got to see a full race distance, despite the delays. It was a complicated but long race that delivered some scintillating drives, for example from Max Verstappen and Felipe Nasr, in his home race, as well as Fernando Alonso who fought back in the closing stages – all showing that great driving is possible even in these extreme conditions”. Fastest times of the day by compound

 Full wetIntermediate
FirstVerstappen 1m25.305sRicciardo 1m25.532s
SecondHamilton 1m25.639sVerstappen 1m25.761s
ThirdRicciardo 1m26.013sBottas 1m26.062s

Longest stint of the race:

WetVettel, Rosberg, Perez, Nasr, Alonso, Kvyat, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Hamilton, Sainz43 laps
IntermediateBottas33

Truthometer: Lewis Hamilton actually won the race without making a racing pit stop but he did change tyres twice, going from full wets to another set of wets under both red flag stoppages. Planned strategy was not really a factor today: instead it was all about reacting to changing circumstances and giving drivers the best possible chance to get to the finish. For more information: please visit our website, which is regularly updated with exclusive in-depth features, news and reviews. To find out more, please visit: www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/brazil-2016-race The full pit stop summary is available in the attached pdf document.