McLaren’s Carlos Sainz has scored his first F1 podium in Brazil GP after FIA stewards handed a time penalty to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
It was a chaotic end to F1 Brazil GP at Inerlagos as double safety car period changed the complexion of the grand prix with midfield drivers in a solid position. Of all, Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly was heading the pace but McLaren’s Sainz not far off.
Having started from the back due to engine issues in qualifying, Sainz drove a solid race to get inside the points. With the safety car periods, it played into his hands as he got track position ahead of the Alfa Romeo Racing drivers, even though he was behind Gasly.
The second re-start had Red Bull Racing’s Alexander Albon and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton colliding which sent Albon into a spin, while Hamilton finished third behind winner Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly.
Post-race, Hamilton was handed a time penalty which dropped him to seventh. But the podium for McLaren and or Sainz wasn’t confirmed as it was suspected that he along with five others were to be investigated for the use of DRS under yellow flag.
Even though there is no note from the FIA yet, McLaren confirmed a podium finish for the team as well as Sainz. It means, it is the Spaniard’s first in F1 as Brazil GP witnessed double first-ever podium with Gasly registering his as well.
It is also McLaren’s first since the 2014 Australian GP. For the moment, Sainz finishes third from Alfa Romeo Racing duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi in fourth and fifth, with Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo in sixth and Hamilton then slotting in seventh.
More to come
Here’s what happened to Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari drivers
Here’s how the F1 Brazil GP panned out