Brazilian Grand Prix 2019 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen claimed a thrilling and chaotic victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, emerging triumphant from one of the most dramatic races of the season that saw multiple collisions, safety cars, and controversy. The Dutch driver started from pole position and controlled much of the race, but the final laps exploded into chaos when Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel collided while battling for fourth place, bringing out a late Safety Car that bunched up the field. Verstappen navigated the mayhem expertly to take his third and final victory of the 2019 season.

The race's defining controversy came on the penultimate lap when leader Lewis Hamilton, who had passed Verstappen during a Safety Car period, made contact with Alexander Albon while the Red Bull driver was attempting an overtake for the lead. Hamilton tagged Albon's rear wheel, sending the Thai driver spinning out of what would have been his maiden F1 podium. Stewards deemed Hamilton at fault and issued a five-second time penalty, dropping the Mercedes driver from first to seventh in the final classification. The incident denied Albon a fairytale podium finish and sparked heated debate about Hamilton's defensive tactics.

Pierre Gasly secured an emotional second-place finish for Toro Rosso, marking his first podium since being demoted from Red Bull mid-season. The French driver's redemption story resonated throughout the paddock, proving his talent after a difficult spell with the senior team. Carlos Sainz completed the podium in third for McLaren, capitalizing on the chaos to secure a brilliant result. Valtteri Bottas set the fastest lap despite finishing fifth, while the Ferrari collision between Leclerc and Vettel symbolized the Scuderia's dysfunctional season - both drivers retiring from the race and facing questions about team dynamics. Verstappen's victory in Brazil provided a fitting end to Red Bull-Honda's breakthrough season, demonstrating their ability to compete for wins against Mercedes' dominance.