The 29-year-old Dutchman crossed the finish line 2.307 seconds ahead of championship leader
A Race Defined by Weather and Strategy
The event was preceded by a 100-minute delay due to a tropical rainstorm, setting the stage for a unpredictable afternoon. The race commenced with half the grid opting for intermediate tyres, a decision that initially favoured the Mercedes duo of Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton, who started second on the grid, struggled for grip on soft slick tyres and plummeted down the order during the opening stages.
The complexion of the race shifted on lap nine when Valtteri Bottas slid into the gravel, triggering a safety car period. This allowed the field to switch to dry-weather tyres. While Antonelli opted for mediums, Verstappen chose softs. Upon the restart, the Red Bull driver executed a decisive move to overtake Antonelli, establishing a lead he would successfully defend for the remainder of the race.
Recovery Drives and Late Drama
Hamilton’s afternoon was a testament to persistence. After falling more than a minute behind the leaders due to his initial tyre choice, the British driver fought his way through the pack. By lap 23, he had moved into fifth place. Following a final round of pit stops under a late safety car, Hamilton capitalised on a power failure that forced his teammate George Russell to retire. This allowed Hamilton to overtake Isack Hadjar in the final four-lap sprint to secure third place.
Reflecting on the victory, Verstappen noted the difficulty of the conditions and the importance of the team's strategic calls, particularly regarding the use of intermediate tyres. Despite the result, Antonelli maintained his lead in the championship standings, now holding an 84-point advantage over the retired Russell. The top ten was rounded out by Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, and rookie Arvid Lindblad.
