The Brazilian Grand Prix 2025 was an action packed, brilliant and even thrilling F1 race that from the start to finish in which, truth be told, not many wanted the race winner to even take victory. It
was a result were both the driver as well as the machine reigned supreme. Even as that meant that the colour of the machine was - in no way - red or close to being red.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton scored a naught, such as rarity and the usual suspects who caved in on a big finish up ahead made love with red. But then what exactly happened out there in Senna-land where the Ayrton used to - and will always - be a cult figure? What surprise results and exhilarating moments, if any, translated into making Interlagos a fine and truth be told, unforgettable event?
Brazilian Grand Prix 2025: Key talking points
What a drive by Verstappen, the defending champion
Due to a pre-race power unit change, Max Verstappen began his 2025 Brazilian GP challenge from the pit-lane, his race weekend already suffering owing to a horrid qualifying result, which was evidenced earlier on. Lest it is forgotten, Max Verstappen had to bear the brunt of a shock Q1 exit much earlier; his RB21 sliding "everywhere" as per the Dutch driver on a rather difficult day as seen at qualifying. And yet, he managed to finish on the podium thanks to a gutsy P3 and in so doing, reminded his ardent critics of his strength. Critics who needlessly while away time in saying nasty things about the four-time world champion when energies could be put to constructive usage.
Kimi Antonelli
Whether it was his brave defending from none other than four-time world champion Max Verstappen as seen in the closing stages or the brilliant consistency shown pretty much all throughout the 71-lap contest, Kimi delivered a cracker of a race weekend at Brazil that even someone as shy and reserved like Raikkonen would be proud of.
But then, the name Kimi is special, isn't it? It talks less and lets the actions deliver.
Brazil, one reckons, will now be remembered as a great racing adventure for the young and rising Italian F1 driver. For not only did the Mercedes driver finish second in the Sprint race, but ended up carrying that rich vein of form in qualifying for the Grand Prix, wherein he bagged a second. That the tricky qualifying contest happened amid difficult and harrowing conditions on Saturday, made the Bologna-born's effort truly special.
Ferrari with a truly pathetic day in the office
Both Sir Lewis Hamilton, who began his Brazilian GP from P13 and Charles Leclerc, who actually grabbed a fighting third as seen in quali registered heartbreaking, sadness-inducing race results at Brazil.
While on the one hand, the Stevenage-born Lewis Hamilton retired on lap 37, owing to an incident that he was a part of during the 71-lap run, his teammate, who drove particularly well on the crucial Saturday too, would retire not long after his Sao Paulo run. On lap 5, the famed Monegasque retired from the contest as a result of his car being dragged in an incident - or so one thought - that was a result of Oscar Piastri making a lunge to grab track position.
And yet, there's hardly any confusion as to why the noted McLaren driver must not be fully blamed for what happened.
For the Ferrari driver would do well to remember; it was just an "Incident". But then, who suffers the most at the end of the day!
FAQs
What position did Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli bag in the 2025 Interlagos-bound Brazilian GP?
Antonelli, all of 19, scored a second at Sao Paulo and enjoyed his best-ever race result this season.
What happened to Ferrari at the 2025 Brazilian GP?
Both Ferraris finished outside of points with Sir Lewis Hamilton sustaining damage on his machine #44 early on in the race. Leclerc too, endured a heartbreaking weekend despite beginning the race from the second row.
