Max Verstappen ended his Formula 1 victory drought by winning the São Paulo Grand Prix, showcasing a spectacular performance from 17th on the grid to secure his eighth win of the season. His closest rival, Lando Norris, finished sixth and now trails Verstappen by 62 points in the championship, making Verstappen a strong contender for a fourth consecutive title with three races left. Despite challenges and controversies, Verstappen’s aggressive driving and strategic acumen in difficult weather conditions underlined his dominance, drawing comparisons to Michael Schumacher’s acclaimed 1995 victory.
When Max Verstappen last claimed victory in a Formula 1 race before the São Paulo Grand Prix, the sun was shining over Spain in late June. This spell of drought ended on Sunday: In a rainy and lengthy race day in Brazil, the Dutch driver delivered a fantastic performance, clinching his eighth win of the season from 17th on the grid. This could be his most important victory yet.
His toughest rival for the championship, Lando Norris, finished only sixth, leaving him 62 points behind in the standings. With three races remaining and a maximum of 86 points available, Verstappen can secure his fourth consecutive world title as soon as the next race in Las Vegas at the end of November.
Overwhelmed with adrenaline, Verstappen struggled to hide his satisfaction during the national anthem. He raised his thumb in the air, and his wide grin was a silent response to the criticisms of his aggressive driving style in recent weeks.
Norris Stumbles at the Start
Norris Stumbles at the Start
In fact, he attempted to compensate for the poor technical performance of his Red Bull Honda by taking higher risks and adopting an aggressive driving style. This led to confrontations with Norris in the superior McLaren-Mercedes and with sympathetic British reporters. Tensions also arose with officials from the FIA.
The controversies continued at the Autódromo Carlos Pace in São Paulo before the 21st World Championship race. During the sprint race on Saturday, Verstappen lost a position after he attacked too early following a neutralization. A rainstorm forced the qualifying session to be postponed to the early hours of Sunday morning, where he was eliminated in the second round due to the stewards taking too long to red-flag the session.
However, extraordinary circumstances often yield extraordinary performances: From 17th on the grid, Verstappen previously raced to third place in Brazil back in 2016. The Interlagos circuit demands a lot of bravery and skill, especially in dry conditions. When torrential rain hits, it also tests risk awareness and driving feel. Verstappen channels his inner fury like an all-wheel drive system; he quickly moved up into scoring positions within the first five kilometers while Norris had already stumbled at the start.
The differences in how Formula 1 drivers react under intense pressure became evident once again in the unusual weather conditions. Intermittent showers, unexpected aquaplaning, and fluctuating tire temperatures can disrupt any driver. These are conditions that suit Verstappen perfectly, enabling him to mask any technical deficiencies in his car.
Even while leading, Verstappen maintained his aggressive driving style. He raced as if in a world of his own, and for once, fortune smiled upon him. The interruption in the 33rd round due to poor visibility allowed him to change tires without losing time as his competitors had before. Norris let out a dismayed scream, realizing that the championship title was slipping out of reach.
Crucial mistakes also plagued the Briton in a desperate attempt to advance. He repeatedly went off the track with his maneuvers. In contrast, Verstappen consistently set fastest lap times, as if he were racing against himself.
While his confidence in the car may have waned, his trust in his abilities seems to have only strengthened. By the end of his solo drive, he had nearly a 20-second lead over the unexpectedly charging French Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, underscoring the quality of his victory—a triumph Verstappen described as, “What an incredible race, simply wonderful!”
Michael Schumacher Faced Similar Criticism
Michael Schumacher Faced Similar Criticism
Conversely, Lando Norris, whose team had asked for no criticism of their title challenger’s nerves in recent weeks, repeated one word in his initial analysis like a mantra: “Unlucky.” Losing his seventh pole position of the year immediately after the start fueled doubts about Norris’ resilience.
The Brit took solace from the fact that, in his sixth season in the top class, he had achieved more than was expected last summer: “I’ve had many good races. Now one has gone wrong.” However, this was a critical event where he could have made significant ground in the championship—if not had to. His team also made errors. In the Constructors’ Championship, the papaya squad remains ahead with a 36-point lead over Ferrari, while Red Bull lags another 13 points behind.
During the victory ceremony, Verstappen’s staff member Pierre Waché, who succeeded the departed design guru Adrian Newey at Red Bull, joined him on the podium. This was