Arise, King Fernando - 2023 Sao Paulo GP Review

Max Verstappen may be running away with wins and re-writing records and history books in 2023, but there is so much more to this season than Verstappen's heroics.

Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso, two of the several others who deserved their share or praise and limelight from the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah review the F1 Sprint and Grand Prix that was hosted at Interlagos. The temperature effect was at play, yet again, as we saw teams with different fortunes and outcomes through the three day weekend. Either way, Interlagos entertained.

Yes, built on land unsuitable for housing, Interlagos is definitely most-suitable for racing; irrespective of the race format. The F1 Sprint entertained, as did the Grand Prix. In fact, the last lap drag race between Alonso and Sergio Perez was super fun, too.

Are Mercedes going backwards? Did Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri's opening lap retirement and subsequent rejoining after the Red Flag expose yet another flaw in Formula 1's rule book? They joined the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix a lap down...despite starting from the pit lane on the same lap.

Yuki Tsunoda was another such hero through the weekend. In the AlphaTauri, Tsunoda was battling the likes of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. If anything, Mercedes faced a Ferrari-esque race in Sunday's Grand Prix. Usually, Mercedes go quick in race trim, but that wasn't the case at Interlagos.

Lots of narratives and fun moments from the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Tune in and re-live most of them. 

(Season 2023, Episode 60)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Aston Martin F1 Team