George Russell, Mercedes (P4) – 4.5/10
The silver car possessed blistering pace, and Russell looked destined for a comfortable silverware haul after rolling the dice on early intermediates. Then came the pit-exit pirouette. Dropping a car on the exit lane is the ultimate unforced error, turning a guaranteed podium into a self-inflicted fourth-place consolation prize.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls (P3) – 8/10
After an initial struggle on the intermediate rubber, Hadjar found another gear on dry tyres. He dispatched Antonelli with a sharp, fearless dive and matched Verstappen’s ferocious late-race pace stride for stride. Securing a podium on pure merit at Interlagos is a massive statement of intent for the young Frenchman.
