--- title: "Verstappen Wins 2023 F1 Brazilian GP, Leclerc Crashes in Formation Lap" description: "Red Bull's Max Verstappen easily won the 2023 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix, continuing his dominant season." date: "2023-11-05" modified: "2023-11-05" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/verstappen-wins-2023-f1-brazilian-gp-leclerc-crashes-in-formation-lap" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Verstappen Wins 2023 F1 Brazilian GP, Leclerc Crashes in Formation Lap ![]() *Getty* [Formula 1]() fans need to look for side stories to keep races interesting this season, as Red Bull's Max Verstappen continues his dominant, historic run. Unsurprisingly, [Verstappen]() won the F1 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix but a couple of side stories are what kept it exciting and neither of which had anything to do with Red Bull's star driver. The drama started before the actual racing did. During the formation lap, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suddenly spun off the track, into a wall, ending his race before it even began. Leclerc told the media following the crash that he lost power steering, which kept him going straight heading into turn six. However, the engine then cut out for safety reasons, which locked the rear wheels, causing him to spin. After he crashed, he tried restarting the engine but the car repeated the same faults, so his race was over before lap one. ![]() **Charles Leclerc's crashed Ferrari* | *Getty** Once the race restarted, it became a typical 2023 F1 race. Verstappen, who started the race from pole position, never truly felt any pressure from McLaren's second-place [Lando Norris](). Norris had a good race, though, and finished in second, which he admitted is the best anyone can do this season. However, what made things interesting during the final laps was the battle for third place. Red Bull's Sergio Perez was on a mission in Brazil, following last week's disappointing crash in [Mexico](), his hometown race. But Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso wasn't going to just let Perez take away his third-place podium finish. The two drivers put on a show, duking it out until the very last second. Alonso held onto his podium finish in the end but only just, giving fans some much-needed excitement. ![]() **Getty** As predictable as Verstappen's wins are each week, it's still fascinating to watch such a historic season unfold before our eyes. Not only did he clinch the drivers' title weeks ago, along with his team locking up the constructers' title, but he's already broken the record for most wins in a season and there are still two races left. If he wins the final two races, which seems likely at this point, his record may not be broken in my lifetime. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()