Verstappen's masterful victory in Brazil Grand Prix elevates him to F1's elite, approaches fourth title
SAO PAULO — As Red Bull's celebrations sparked with champagne at Interlagos, an unexpected call came through on Christian Horner's phone. On the line was Bernie Ecclestone, the venerable former CEO of Formula 1, delivering high praise for Max Verstappen. Horner shared Ecclestone's words: "I’ve seen all the greats win, but that's one of the very best I've ever seen."
Ecclestone, now 94 and present at Sunday's race, stands as one of the few voices qualified to make such historic comparisons, having witnessed the likes of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. His assertion that Verstappen's triumph from 17th on the grid was one of the finest wins echoes across the racing world.
Poised to become a four-time world champion in Las Vegas, should his points lead over Lando Norris remain at 60 or more, Verstappen needed this victory. Following a prolonged draught of victories and enduring criticism, his Brazilian feat was a staunch reminder of his racing brilliance.
Verstappen's flawless display contrasts Norris's struggles
The weekend's outlook initially suggested a narrowing in the championship race, favoring Norris. After his sprint victory, Norris led the grid in Sunday's qualifying, shrinking the gap to 44 points.
Yet, Verstappen had different plans. Utilizing criticism as fuel, he converted a challenging qualifying result, starting from 17th due to penalties, into an aggressive launch, gaining six positions on the first lap.
"This morning I was very upset, and my emotions went from almost trying to destroy the garage to winning the race," Verstappen admitted. His spirited drive from the back mirrored the legendary performances of F1 icons, as Horner likened Verstappen's first lap to Senna's iconic 1993 Donington Park drive.
Conversely, Norris's fortunes dwindled as he lost a pivotal position to George Russell and struggled through the slippery conditions. The mid-race red flag post-lap 32 reshaped the race dynamics unfavorably, despite Norris's initial strategic gamble.
Team principal Andrea Stella supported McLaren's decision-making amidst the unpredictable wet conditions, reasoning that the pit stop for fresh tires seemed rational. However, the strategic move backfired when the safety car and subsequent red flag disrupted their plans, facilitating a beneficial free tire change for Red Bull.
Verstappen's brilliance in wet conditions
Once the race resumed, Verstappen's superiority on intermediates was unmistakable. Demonstrating unmatched confidence under braking, Verstappen set an extraordinary 17 fastest laps, clinching a resounding 19-second victory margin. His adept maneuvering in wet conditions harks back to his formative karting years, refined through relentless practice with his father.
"I feel comfortable [in these conditions]," Verstappen noted post-race, alluding to his early karting days on often wet tracks, which sharpened his wet-weather prowess.
Meanwhile, Norris wrestled with car instability, suffering two costly off-track excursions at Turn 1, ultimately finishing in sixth place. Stella attributed Norris's difficulties to technical challenges, expressing the team's responsibility to improve the car's wet performance.
Despite the setbacks, Norris conceded Verstappen's superior pace: "Max was easily quicker than us, so I think if he went from the front [of the grid], he probably would have lapped us."
Nearing title victory
Verstappen's victory in Brazil not only ended his long winless streak but also brings him within touching distance of his fourth consecutive drivers' championship. Reflecting on the win, Verstappen exuded optimism and a desire for consistent performances in the concluding races.
"So from now, I just want clean races to the end. I'm not thinking about clinching the championship in Vegas or whatever. I just want clean races," he expressed, looking ahead to the final stretch of the season.
Verstappen's stellar performance in Brazil not only cements his place among F1's greats but also paves the way for another chapter in his illustrious career. As the championship draws to a close, all eyes will be on Verstappen to see if he can clinch the title with style.
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