Last 10 pole sitters and race winners at the Brazilian GP

The Brazilian Grand Prix is one of the most spectacular events on the Formula 1 calendar, with drama and excitement guaranteed, no matter what the championship situation is.

Since 1973, F1 has visited Brazil every year, apart from the coronavirus-affected 2020, and more often than not it delivers.

There have been so many memorable moments in Sao Paulo, including Aryton Senna‘s two victories in 1991 and 1993, chaos in 2003 that saw Giancarlo Fisichella take the win, hearbtreak for Lewis Hamilton in 2007, before “Is that Glock” a year later.

The 2012 Brazilian GP had another title showdown, with Sebastian Vettel edging out Fernando Alonso and 2021 gave us Hamilton‘s stunning drive to beat a very aggressive Max Verstappen.

Interlagos is actually one of Hamilton‘s weaker venues, if there is such a thing, as he has won just three times in Brazil.

Hamilton has also had only three pole positions at the Brazilian GP, despite Mercedes‘ relative dominance at the track during the turbo-hybrid era.

Brazilian GP pole sitters 2011 to 2021

Six of the last 10 Brazilian GP have been won from pole position, but most were not short of action.

In 2016, Hamilton led from start to finish in torrential rain, which is arguably one of the wettest races F1 has ran in over the last 10 years.

All eyes were on Verstappen though as he had a huge half slide and just missed hitting the wall, before strategy put him at the back of the field. He stormed through the pack in style though with daring overtakes as he finished in third, which is possibly his best non-win performance in his career.

In 2018, Verstappen was set to take a comfortable victory but came across Esteban Ocon, who he was about to lap. Verstappen tried to go around the outside of Ocon at Turn 2, but the Force India driver tagged him and turned the Red Bull around.

It handed first place to Hamilton and Verstappen made his emotions clear by pushing Ocon in parc ferme.

In 2019, Verstappen and Hamilton went wheel to wheel several times as strategy proved crucial in Sao Paulo. Verstappen came out on top, whilst Hamilton spun Alex Albon around.

Pierre Gasly took a sensational second place for AlphaTauri by pipping Hamilton to the finish line by 0.062 seconds, although the Mercedes driver received a post-race penalty anyway due to his incident with Albon.

Then, there was 2021. One of, if not, Hamilton‘s best ever weekend performance in F1.

After being disqualified from qualifying for a minor rear wing infringement, Hamilton started at the back for the sprint race.

He brilliantly got himself up to fifth, but started 10th for the Grand Prix due to a grid penalty for a new engine.

A sensational battle with Sergio Perez put Hamilton in second place after 20 laps, but there was still Verstappen to deal with.

Knowing he had a straight line speed disadvantage, Verstappen threw everything at Hamilton, including a move that took both drivers off the track at Turn 4.

Hamilton got the move done though with 16 laps to go, keeping his cool to take an incredible win.

Alain Prost has stood on the top step of the podium six times, the most of any driver, whilst McLaren are the most successful constructor, albeit there last win came in 2012 with Jenson Button.

Brazilian GP race winners 2011 to 2021