As Formula 1 heads back to Brazil, fans can’t help but recall last year's thrilling duel at Interlagos. The 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix delivered one of the most electrifying finishes of the season, with Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez locked in a nail-biting battle for third place that lasted over thirty laps, coming down to just five-thousandths of a second at the finish line.
From the outset, both drivers were eager to claim the final podium spot, pushing their machines to the limit. Alonso, who began from fourth on the grid, faced early setbacks, dropping places to Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. However, a red flag following an incident further back gave him another chance at a clean start.
With this second opportunity, Alonso made a decisive move, capitalizing on Hamilton’s slight error to claim third place when they exited Turn 4. For Perez, starting at seventh, his path to the podium was complicated by being stuck behind slower cars.
Here is the video:
Watching on repeat 🔁
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 6, 2023
Jump onboard with Fernando for THAT incredible last lap 😮💨#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/0DnSIAk3at
Red Bull’s early pit stop strategy—triggered by Mercedes’ decision to bring their drivers in—created more challenges, forcing Perez to navigate back through the pack. By the time Perez caught up to Alonso, he was on older tyres, giving the Aston Martin driver a strategic edge.
Thrilling last lap fight!
In the race’s final laps, Perez closed in, and both drivers showcased a masterclass in defensive and offensive tactics. Fernando Alonso’s unconventional approach, known as the “V line,” allowed him to control exits from key turns, maintaining just enough speed to keep Sergio Perez at bay. This technique frustrated Perez, who struggled to match Alonso’s speed down the main straight.
In the closing moments, Perez finally found his way past Alonso, only for the Spaniard to reclaim the position with a brilliant outside line through Turn 4 on the final lap. With both drivers pushing their engines to the limit, the finish line approached with Perez’s Red Bull inching closer. As the cars crossed the line, the timing showed Alonso clinging to third place by a mere five-thousandths of a second, cementing his place on the podium.
Reflecting on the battle, Alonso remarked, "After 30 laps with Checo on my tail, I thought the podium was gone when he passed me. But I saw an opportunity, went for it, and thankfully, it worked." Perez, who later acknowledged the disadvantage of following too closely, called it “pure racing” and praised Alonso’s relentless defence, even as he expressed frustration with Red Bull’s early pit strategy that complicated his race.