There was drama at the outset of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix with Kevin Magnussen and Alex Albon coming together on the run down to the first corner and veering into the barriers.
The commotion triggered a Safety Car and the race’s neutralization before the red flag was activated, bringing proceedings to a halt.
Magnussen also appeared to hit Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, damaging the MCL60’s rear wing, while the rear wing on Daniel Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri was hit by a stray tyre and also required a repair job.
But the most dramatic event took place even before the race got underway when Charles Leclerc slid off the track and into the barriers on the formation lap, the Ferrari victim of a massive hydraulic failure according to a radio message from its driver.
Poleman Max Verstappen, on his own up at the front following Leclerc’s demise, enjoyed a comfortable lead as he entered Turn 1.
But Lando Norris made a blistering fast start from sixth, the McLaren charger slotting into second after outrunning both Aston Martins and Lewis Hamilton into the first corner.
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