Brundle brands Mercedes Brazil downfall 'painful to watch'

Martin Brundle has branded Mercedes downfall as "painful to watch" during the São Paulo Grand Prix.

Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had dropped back after suffering from poor tyre degradation, with the latter eventually retiring due to high engine oil temperatures.

It was a race that Team Principal Toto Wolff called "inexcusable" adding that the W14 does not "deserve to win a race" following a tough season for the team, with Hamilton only eighth at the flag.

The team vowed that it would get to the bottom of what caused its lack of pace, with it coming a week on from its solid podium in Mexico City through Hamilton.

"It wasn't a classic race by any means," Brundle wrote in his Sky Sports F1 column.

"Both Mercedes of Hamilton and Russell continued their poor race pace of Saturday, but for three times as long and it was painful to watch.

"They eventually retired Russell, and Hamilton grabbed a few points in eighth place."

Brundle: Alonso 'frustrating' Perez

One of the highlights of the race was the battle between Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez, with the Aston Martin driver making a last-lap move stick on the Mexican.

What followed was a drag race coming out of Juncao corner, with Alonso managing to pip Perez to the line by 0.054s in a dramatic photo finish.

"Perez had already shown his rejuvenated talents on a number of occasions with some deft out-braking manoeuvres while recovering from a poor-ish grid slot, and then homed in on Alonso for the final podium spot," wrote Brundle.

"I thoroughly enjoyed watching this battle of high-speed tactics.

"Alonso was using and placing his car well to frustrate Perez behind him, in what looked like a much faster car."