How Sao Paulo Grand Prix unfolded

Toto's rousing "**** them all!" radio message to Hamilton after yesterday's recovery sprint drive certainly worked wonders.

Only three races left.

This could be all of our birthday and Christmas presents if the championship fight goes right to the last lap in Abu Dhabi.

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Well, that's what the debate has been about today.

But let's have a look at some of his other past track heroics...

Monaco GP - 2019

Emotions were already high after the death of Niki Lauda but this race will also be remembered for Hamilton's tyre saga with him literally holding on to the lead for 64 laps on softs. He wasn't impressed but he stayed out on track and made minimal mistakes and held off aggressive attacks from Max Verstappen. It was intense, edge of your seat stuff - brilliant!

British GP - 2008

And who can forget that 2008 race at Silverstone - where Hamilton put in one of those epic wet weather drives and ended up winning his seventh race.

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Lewis Hamilton passed title rival Max Verstappen after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen's advantage in the championship to 14 points.

His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.

His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday's 'sprint' event.

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• Handed a five-place grid penalty on Friday for today's grand prix
• Qualified on pole for Saturday's sprint race
• Investigated for a rear-wing infringement post-qualifying
• Disqualified from qualifying after rear-wing fails FIA test.
• Starts sprint at the back of the grid
• Moves his way through the field to finish the 24-lap race in fifth place
• Drops back down to 10th position due to the engine penalty
• Overtakes rival Verstappen to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

J Jones: I haven’t enjoyed an F1 season like this for what seems like a very long time - a season for the ages

Thomas: A lot of praise for Hamilton but he was basically driving a rocket against a load of shopping trolleys with how fast his car was. It was more impressive for Max to keep him behind as long as he did.

This could be the biggest win of the season full stop!

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Lewis Hamilton is asked on Sky Sports about his "of course" reply to hearing the stewards would not be investigating his battle with Verstappen.

"I knew that would be the decision they would come to - whether it was right or wrong."

So, Lewis' opinion: right or wrong decision? "I'm not going to go into that," he says.

"Doesn't really matter; we got the result we needed."

Karen Fazackerley: Quite possibly the best race win for Lewis Hamilton in his entire career. An incredible, INCREDIBLE race win.

Rachel T: You can disqualify him, put him to the back of the grid, penalise him again, run him off track but STILL HE RISES!

Oyewole Michael: LEWIS HAMILTON HAS DONE IT AGAINST THE ODDS! What a victory!

Max Verstappen, who finished second: "We tried everything we could today, it was a good battle but at the end we missed a little pace. But it was good fun.

"We still have a decent lead so today was a bit of damage limitation.

"I'm confident, in the coming races we will come back stronger."

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Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas, who finished third: "The start was quick but I was disappointed with the start, but afterwards the pace was OK.

"I thought we could have done one stop quite easily, but I am glad we got more points than Red Bull and Lewis did amazingly today.

"The virtual safety car was in a good place for me for once and we managed to get solid points."

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Lewis Hamilton, who finished first: "I am so grateful for the incredible support this weekend. I have not had this much support since Silverstone, so to hear the fans it has been humbling.

"What a race! The team did an amazing job and Valtteri did a great job to get as many points as possible. I just pushed as fast as I could but this is my hardest weekend I have had [this season].

"My dad reminded me of when I was in F3 in Bahrain, when I started last and finished first - so this is for my dad. I never thought we would close the gap like we did today - just never give up and never stop fighting. It feels like a first as I haven't had a win for a long time."

Let's hear what the top three had to say...

Caiden Thomas: What a drive from Hamilton to secure 1st from 10th

Renzo Vinti: Daniel Ricciardo retiring early when he knows the Buffalo Bills game just started.

SirKay: Lewis Hamilton handle adversity better than anyone I know

Martin Roberts: Up there with the best drives I’ve ever seen from Hamilton. Drives much better when under pressure. Championship still alive!