Max Verstappen reveals reset moment before Brazil GP comeback
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Max Verstappen reveals how his father's calmness helped him reset after a frustrating Brazil GP qualifying, leading to a historic comeback victory.
Max Verstappen has shared how his father, Jos Verstappen, helped him reset mentally after a frustrating qualifying session at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver went on to deliver one of the greatest performances of his career just hours later, recovering from 17th on the grid to secure a dominant victory in wet conditions at Interlagos.
Verstappen reflects on post-qualifying frustration
Verstappen, who clinched his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship in 2024, experienced a tough weekend in Brazil. A delayed and rain-affected qualifying session saw him finish 12th, and a five-place engine penalty left him starting 17th on the grid. Red Bull also expressed frustration with the timing of the red flag during Q2, calling it “unfair.”
Speaking on Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast, Verstappen admitted he was so frustrated after qualifying that he wanted to “destroy” his private room at the Red Bull hospitality unit. However, upon entering, he found his father sitting there calmly.
“I wanted to destroy my room, but then I walked into my room, and my dad was sitting there,” Verstappen said. “He was the calm one. I was so angry, and then I saw him so calm—it actually calmed me down.”
A historic comeback at Interlagos
After regaining his composure, Verstappen delivered a masterclass in the race. Starting from 17th on the grid, he overtook the field with precision, ultimately finishing 19.4 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Meanwhile, pole-sitter Lando Norris struggled in the wet conditions, finishing sixth and falling 62 points behind Verstappen in the standings.
Verstappen’s victory in Brazil ended a rare 10-race winless streak, solidifying his status as the dominant force in Formula 1. It also highlighted his ability to rise above adversity, even after a series of contentious moments during the preceding races.
Jos Verstappen praises his son’s resilience
Jos Verstappen credited his son’s historic performance in Brazil to his ability to channel criticism into motivation. Speaking to Sky Germany after the race, he said, “Max showed who is the best today. He was very motivated after the negative journalists from England and the negative drivers.”
Jos added, “They think they can take him out of his good mood, but he only gets better because of it. I’m very proud of what he showed today. The whole world saw who is the very best.”
Frustrations build in Brazil
The Brazil GP weekend was filled with controversy. During qualifying, Red Bull and Verstappen were angered by the timing of the red flag for Lance Stroll’s crash. The frustration followed a Saturday sprint race where Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri swapped positions under questionable circumstances before the Virtual Safety Car was deployed.
Adding to the tension, Verstappen had been hit with two 10-second penalties at the previous race in Mexico for separate incidents with Norris. Despite these challenges, Verstappen proved his mettle in Sao Paulo, cementing his place among Formula 1’s all-time greats.
Conclusion
Max Verstappen’s remarkable recovery at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix showcased his resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. With support from his father and his team, Verstappen turned frustration into a performance for the ages, further solidifying his legacy in Formula 1 history.
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