Sao Paulo: Strong pace, zero luck for Daniel

Daniel goes a lap down after being hit by debris from an accident between two rivals at the first corner in Brazil, his chance of points ruined through no fault of his own.

Race data
Sao Paulo (Round 20 of 22), 3-5 November 2023

Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Interlagos), 4.309km

Sprint Shootout: 8th

Sprint race (24 laps): 9th

Qualified: 17th

Grand Prix (71 laps): 13th

Laps per position: 13th (13 laps), 14th (18 laps), 15th (17 laps), 16th (15 laps), 17th (7 laps)

Pit stops/tyres: Lap 1 (soft/soft, under red flag), Lap 26 (soft/medium), Lap 55 (medium/soft)

Fastest lap: 1min 13.866secs (3rd), lap 68

Points this event: 0

Points this season: 6 (17th in world championship)

Daniel's download
“That was a frustrating end to a weekend where I used that word quite a few times!

“The race and the incident (between Alex Albon’s Williams and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas) ahead of me … I was at the back so I saw quite early the smoke and the debris and the chaos, then I remember seeing a tyre that had come off the rim just frisbeeing through the air. It started coming closer and my instinct was to duck my head, and I didn’t feel anything hit me … but after Turn 1 I checked the mirrors and I could see the rear wing was damaged so I figured the tyre got the wing.

“The team did a great job with the race red-flagged and we were ready to go on time, but then we got told we were a lap down, really frustrating.

“I think it exposed a flaw or something in the rules, because I didn’t feel like we ever did a racing lap, but then you already start the race a lap down. (McLaren’s) Oscar (Piastri) and I fell victim to that. For me, it’s like two of us today … but if 15 cars had damage and had to do what we did, are they going to start a race with 15 cars one lap down? I don’t think so. I think they need to be a little more open-minded, so that was frustrating.

“We were fast in the race, too. The times when we did have some clear air, especially towards the end when I was able to show my speed … frustratingly fast. I actually feel for the team, because I’m not in the championship hunt … but I’m here to help the team get seventh in the (constructors’) championship and I felt I could have heavily contributed. We could have got a lot of points, could have moved through the field quite well.

“Before that, the Sprint on Saturday was really fun but really frustrating, both emotions were at a high level! The fun was the battle with (Ferrari’s) Carlos (Sainz) and generally looking forwards to fight cars ahead, but the frustration was more because I’d overtake in Turn 1, then give him the DRS and get passed back before Turn 4. Every time I passed him, it felt like I’d wave him back past again. P9 is the world’s worst position on a Saturday, being so close to points but getting none.

“Anyway, I’m happy with the pace on Sunday seeing as this is a track that has never been a strong one for me. I'm now definitely looking forward to Las Vegas – Vegas, we’re coming!”

DR’s race recap
* Started eighth and finished ninth in Saturday's 24-lap Sprint, 0.197secs behind Sainz/Ferrari for final world championship point.

* Qualified 17th for Sunday's Grand Prix. Sustained rear wing damage after being hit by a discarded tyre carcass from Albon/Williams in his incident with Magnussen/Haas, race red-flagged.

* Began re-started race from pit lane one lap down in 17th place.

* Passed Piastri/McLaren for 16th place on lap nine.

* Moved forward to 15th when Zhou/Alfa Romeo retired on lap 22, to 14th when Bottas/Alfa Romeo retired on lap 39 and to 13th when Russell/Mercedes retired on lap 57.

* Set his fastest lap of the race on lap 68 (1:13.866).

* Finished in 13th place after 70 laps, one lap down on race-winner Verstappen/Red Bull.

DR’s next destination
Round 21: USA (Las Vegas), 16-18 November

F1 debut in 2023