Death, taxes, and Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen causing controversy.
Mercedes were up against it from the get-go as Lewis Hamilton started Saturday's sprint race in dead last due to a technical infringement in qualifying.
The reigning drivers champion managed to overcome the odds and pass many cars, rallying from 20th to 5th in a remarkable performance.
P20 👉👉👉 P5@LewisHamilton put on an overtaking show on Saturday!#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/erH6WjvMIi
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 13, 2021
The miraculous efforts of the sprint race were short-changed, as Hamilton had to start the Grand Prix in 10th due to an engine change.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen, first in the current driver standings, began the race in Sao Paulo in second behind Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas.
Midway through the race, the title picture was playing out on the track as Max Verstappen held first place and Hamilton was close behind in second.
Hamilton enjoyed a fantastic start to the race going from tenth place to second. Most notably battling with Sergio Perez and passing on Lap 19.
Hamilton Takes On Verstappen
It wasn't until Lap 48 when Hamilton decided to aggressively go for P1 and make his move. What ensued was controversial but not deemed punishable by F1 officials.
Verstappen and Hamilton almost clash 😬
Both drivers run wide in the fight for victory at the #BrazilGP🇧🇷
All the details over on the #SkyF1 blog ⬇️
📺 @SkySportsF1
💻 https://t.co/dsFCYRqRzo#F1— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 14, 2021
LAP 48/71
;kljhfdjksahfljkahdfaljkdsfhlajksdhf#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/JEidAt74Xq— Formula 1 (@F1) November 14, 2021
Verstappen pushed Hamilton wide during Lap 48 as he was being overtaken, leaving both cars wide off the track and staying in their positions.
While he had no luck on Lap 48, Hamilton was third time lucky in managing to overtake his rival later on Lap 59 and hold off to mark a memorable weekend.
What a moment for @LewisHamilton as he wins from P10 on the grid in Brazil 🎧
Snatching back the momentum in the title race to close the gap on Max Verstappen 🏆#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/8I4liVQrnn— Formula 1 (@F1) November 14, 2021
"Coming into this weekend I never ever thought we would be able to close the gap like we had today," Hamilton told Sky Sports after the race.
The win leaves Hamilton in contention for the title despite going up against all the odds in Sao Paulo. Teammate Bottas said he was "in his own league."
No driver has ever won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from starting below eight in the grid. It undoubtedly was one of Hamilton's best weekends behind the wheel.
Max Verstappen now has a fourteen-point lead, with three races to go in the Formula 1 season.
See Also: Lewis Hamilton Goes On Overtaking Bonanza From The Back In Sao Paulo Sprint Race
