Max Verstappen cruises to victory in Brazilian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen has recorded a dominant victory in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, claiming his 17th main-race win of the season.

The already-crowned world champion led from start to finish in Sao Paulo, helped by fellow front-row sitter Charles Leclerc crashing on the formation lap and not being able to start the race.

A collision involving Alexander Albon and Kevin Magnussen at the first corner led to the race being red-flagged, seeing each driver back in the pits before the end of lap one.

That mattered little, however, as Verstappen comfortably kept McLaren's Lando Norris at bay to bring home Red Bulls' 19th triumph of the campaign.

Norris could still be satisfied with his day's work, finishing just 8.277 seconds adrift of the Dutchman and a considerable 25.878 ahead of third-placed Fernando Alonso, who held off Sergio Perez in an almighty scrap during the latter stages.

Alonso 🆚 Perez

It was this close on the line 🤯#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/KrLWf4A0CY

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 5, 2023

Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and George Russell endured a dismal race, the latter retiring during the latter stages on a day where neither car showed any threatening pace.

Hamilton eventually finished in eighth position, significantly denting his hopes of overtaking Sergio Perez for second in the standings after the Mexican finished in fourth.

Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz Jr and Pierre Gasly were fifth, sixth and seventh respectively, with Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon completing the top 10.

With two races left, Perez sits 32 points clear of Hamilton in second, while Alonso is back to within 28 points of the British driver.

However, just six points separate Alonso, Norris and Sainz Jr between fourth and sixth.