Red Bull driver Max Verstappen proved why he’s considered one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history with his performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen had to drive through the pack from P17 after a disrupted qualifying session to win his first race since the Spanish Grand Prix and essentially guarantee his fourth world championship.
Verstappen now has a 62-point lead over his nearest challenger Lando Norris and now knows that victory at the next race in Las Vegas will confirm another title for the Red Bull star.
The Dutch driver has always had a reputation for being incredibly quick in wet conditions.
That didn’t stop him from being eliminated in Q2 during Sunday morning’s rearranged qualifying session, albeit he was caught out by a poorly-timed red flag when Lance Stroll had his first crash of the day.
By the end of the first lap of the race, Verstappen was already in the top 10 having overtaken seven cars, including teammate Sergio Perez after a mammoth start.
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images
The 27-year-old got stuck behind Yuki Tsunoda at one point after being let through rather graciously by Liam Lawson, but the decisive moment of the race came during the only pit stop window of the Grand Prix.
Norris and George Russell pitted during a virtual safety car which turned out to be terrible timing, with the race red-flagged moments later after Franco Colapinto’s huge crash.
This allowed Verstappen and both Alpine drivers to change their tyres in the pit lane and from there, the Dutchman proved his legendary status.
Fernando Alonso congratulates Max Verstappen after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Esteban Ocon ended up leading the race when it restarted and negotiated his first restart well, opening up a gap over Verstappen.
However, Carlos Sainz’s crash – the third driver to crash twice on Sunday – brought out the final safety car of the day.
Verstappen pulled off another brilliant move down the inside of turn one and then went on a run of setting 10 fastest laps in his final 11 runs around Interlagos.
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Posting on Instagram, Verstappen said: “Unbelievable!!! What a roller coaster… SIMPLY LOVELY. Thank you everyone @redbullracing.”
Fernando Alonso replied to the triple world champion and said: “Fantastic drive. Congrats,” to which Verstappen replied: “Thank you legend.”
© 2024 INSTAGRAM FROM META.Fernando Alonso struggles through Brazilian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen stars
While Verstappen was enjoying himself and the conditions at the front of the race, Alonso was in a world of pain.
Damon Hill has hailed Alonso after he managed to finish the race despite suffering with his back.
His Aston Martin was incredibly difficult to drive and was feeling all of the bumps on a newly resurfaced track that was causing plenty of problems for drivers.
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Lewis Hamilton was quick to praise Verstappen after the race, and while his Mercedes just about squeezed into the points – ahead of the other Red Bull that Perez was driving – he’ll be hoping that his new Ferrari next year is more competitive.
Verstappen will be hoping for more as well, despite closing in on a fourth title, he’s had to work extremely hard to earn that accolade in a car that has been outclassed by McLaren and Ferrari for much of the campaign.
