sport news Formula One: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED from an incredible Brazilian Grand Prix

sport news Formula One: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED from an incredible Brazilian Grand Prix
sport news Formula One: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED from an incredible Brazilian Grand Prix

The 2021 F1 season is turning into one of the best ever, with genuine rivalries, an incredible title battle and some of the most impressive driving you could imagine.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are going wheel-to-wheel, quite literally, at every circuit and last weekend's Sao Paulo race saw the Brit come out on top, despite being penalised 25 grid places over the course of two days.

Here, Sportsmail takes a look at five things we learned from a Brazilian Grand Prix that will live very long in the memory...

Lewis Hamilton secured an incredible victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo

Lewis Hamilton secured an incredible victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo

Fans turned out in their thousands to watch the brilliant race, which saw Hamilton impress

Fans turned out in their thousands to watch the brilliant race, which saw Hamilton impress

Lewis Hamilton really is the GOAT 

Let's start with the big one. Hell hath no fury like a Lewis Hamilton scorned. The seven-time world champion was dealt a rough hand in Brazil at the weekend, but still he managed to turn it around to secure his 101st race win, and perhaps more importantly, close the gap on Red Bull rival Verstappen.

After stewards found a 'technical infringement' on the rear wing of Hamilton's car in the wake of Friday's qualifying, the Brit was disqualified and forced to the back of the grid for Saturday's sprint race. 

He then used the 100km race to fly up the order to fifth, before he was again handed a penalty - this time five places - when Mercedes took a new engine on his car.

The Brit came from 10th to win, overtaking his rival Max Verstappen in the latter stages

The Brit came from 10th to win, overtaking his rival Max Verstappen in the latter stages

Therefore, Hamilton was down in 10th for the start of the race, but went on to produce perhaps the drive of his life to win, overcoming various difficulties along the way. There were claims he was forced off the track by Versappen on lap 48 (more on that later), but not only did he manage to overtake his rival, but he went on to secure victory by an incredible 10 seconds.

There has been lots of talk over whether Hamilton really is the best F1 driver of all-time, but Sunday's drive went a long way to proving that he really is. Yes, he has a brilliant car, but it takes more than that to be a world champion.

It remains to be seen whether he will secure a record eighth title this season, but it's clear that he has the talent to take Verstappen all the way, with just three races to go. 

Hamilton waves a Brazil flag on Sunday; he is cementing his place as the greatest of all-time

Hamilton waves a Brazil flag on Sunday; he is cementing his place as the greatest of all-time

Don't mess with Toto Wolff 

Sticking with Mercedes, it was a topsy-turvy weekend for team boss Toto Wolff, who had to deal with more ups and downs than perhaps he would have wanted.

There was the obvious fury at the F1 hierarchy for Hamilton's disqualification, which came after Verstappen was seen touching the rear wing of his rival's car. While there is no suggestion the Dutchman tampered with the Mercedes, it was a bizarre scenario that left both team bosses with plenty to say.

On the grid before Sunday's race, Wolff told Sky's Martin Brundle that the FIA could 'cut [the rear wing] in 1000 pieces' after confirming that they hadn't got it back after the investigation, and he was also heard telling Hamilton on team radio 'Brilliant job Lewis, f*** them all' after Saturday's sprint race.

Toto Wolff had a topsy-turvy weekend and spent much of it furious with Michael Masi and FIA

Toto Wolff had a topsy-turvy weekend and spent much of it furious with Michael Masi and FIA

Clearly, he and the FIA aren't on the best of terms at the moment - perhaps not helped by the fact that Verstappen still leads the drivers' standings - and there was one moment in particular at the weekend that showed his anger in full force.

Well aware there was a world-feed camera trained in on him after Hamilton crossed the line to win, Wolff made his feelings very clear, pumping his fists and pointing right down the lens. In truth, he looked furious.

You might have expected the team boss to play it down when he was inevitably asked about it post-race, but no... Wolff was

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