Formula 1: Valtteri Bottas wins ahead of Verstappen

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Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas

Photo: HOCH ZWEI / imago images / HochZwei

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is the winner in the third and final sprint of the Formula 1 season.

After 24 laps on the course of Interlagos World Championship leader Max Verstappen (Netherlands / Red Bull) and Spanish Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, the Finn relegated to the places and secured the best starting position for the fourth last race of the season on Sunday.

For Bottas it was the 20th pole position of his Formula 1 career and the fourth of the season.

Verstappen, who started from the very beginning, didn't take any great risks and can live well with second place.

The 24-year-old collected two more championship points, putting him 21 points ahead of his rival Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' standings.

The record world champion crossed the finish line in fifth after being disqualified as the qualifying winner on Friday a good two hours before the start of the sprint and had to chase after the field.

Due to an engine penalty, Hamilton lost another five starting positions at the Grand Prix on Sunday, so he went from tenth place in the 19th race of the season.

The race stewards classified the Mercedes used in qualifying as not compliant with the rules; when the Drag Reduction System (DRS) was used, the adjustable rear wing opened too far, and Hamilton achieved speed advantages on the straight.

Mercedes refrained from a protest, which "would have put all the results of the weekend at risk," said a spokesman.

The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim / Aston Martin) finished the sprint in tenth place, Mick Schumacher finished 19th in the Haas.

The stewards had also investigated Verstappen, but left it with a fine of 50,000 euros.

Immediately after qualifying on Friday, Verstappen examined the rear wing of his Red Bull and touched it, which he then repeated on Hamilton's Mercedes.

With this, Verstappen violated the Parc-ferme rules.

Hamilton traveled to Brazil 19 points behind Red Bull driver Verstappen.

Should the Dutchman leave Sao Paulo by at least 24 points, Hamilton will no longer be able to push his opponent out of the top of the World Championship standings on his own in the remaining three races.

as / sid