Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium ceremony in Sao Paulo
Image: Keystone
Historic victory: Only five times in 1121 Formula 1 races has someone won from 17th on the grid (or even further back)
Image: Keystone
Father Jos Verstappen (back) says that criticizing his son Max Verstappen's (front) aggressiveness and driving style only makes him stronger
Image: Keystone
Lando Norris in the McLaren was doused like a poodle in Brazil
Image: Keystone
In three weeks at the GP in Las Vegas, the world championship could be decided
Image: Keystone
Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium ceremony in Sao Paulo
Image: Keystone
Historic victory: Only five times in 1121 Formula 1 races has someone won from 17th on the grid (or even further back)
Image: Keystone
Father Jos Verstappen (back) says that criticizing his son Max Verstappen's (front) aggressiveness and driving style only makes him stronger
Image: Keystone
Lando Norris in the McLaren was doused like a poodle in Brazil
Image: Keystone
In three weeks at the GP in Las Vegas, the world championship could be decided
Image: Keystone
A race for the Formula 1 history books and retrospectives: dramas, crashes, red flags. And Max Verstappen dominates. He impresses even the critics in the country of the world championship challenger.
After the triumphant drive with the makings of legendary tales, Max Verstappen enjoyed the sticky champagne and energy drink shower. No swearing, no raging like just a few hours before. The victory on the historic Formula 1 circuit in São Paulo and in a race like no other had the effect of a turbo-frustration catalyst and did not leave even his closest circle of trust untouched.
Girlfriend Kelly Piquet, the daughter of Brazilian former champion Nelson Piquet, looked up to the podium at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace with a heavy heart. After the chaos of rain, accidents and interruptions at Interlagos, father Jos Verstappen was simply filled with pure pride and extreme satisfaction: "The whole world has seen who is the very best." Namely Max Verstappen.
Grand Prix win number 62 in the 27-year-old Dutchman's career was not just any win. It was a demonstration of the exceptional talent in a highly decisive phase of the World Championship. Verstappen set the fastest race lap 17 times on his own, almost 20 seconds ahead of the surprise runner-up Esteban Ocon from France in the Alpine.
"That was pure talent, pure magic under extreme conditions," wrote the Spanish sports newspaper "As" and demanded: "Give him the (world championship) trophy now."
Fourth title very close
The Brazilian GP turned everything on its head. Challenger Lando Norris was still expected to turn the tide in the world championship race after Norris was gifted victory in the sprint race on Saturday, leaving Verstappen with only 17th place on the grid for the main race. But Max Verstappen's "miracle drive" on Sunday increased the lead from 44 to 62 points. The preliminary decision? "The three-time champion now has one hand and four fingers on the fourth title," wrote the Brazilian sports newspaper "Lance".
In Las Vegas in three weeks' time, Verstappen needs 60 points more than Lando Norris after the race, then the 24-year-old Briton will be beaten and Verstappen will be world champion for the fourth time in a row with Red Bull. "It was obviously incredibly important, because ultimately I assumed that I would lose points," explained Verstappen after his victory. However, he is not thinking about a premature world championship decision in Las Vegas: "I just want to drive clean races." Most recently in Mexico (twice) and in Brazil in the sprint race, Verstappen was penalized three times for tricky manoeuvres. The relationship with the race stewards remains tense.
However, the constant criticism of his uncompromisingly consistent driving style only spurs the world champion on even more, says father Jos Verstappen: "They think they're getting him out of his good mood... But it only makes him better!"
Praise from Great Britain too
Max Verstappen certainly provided facts to back up his father's words. After four winless months, the world is already at his feet again. Even in Great Britain, the country of his biggest critics, the "Guardian" and the "Daily Mail" are writing of a "miracle drive". Verstappen had conquered the elements. It was only the fifth time in 1121 Formula 1 races that a driver had triumphed from 17th on the grid (or even further back).
And Lando Norris, Max Verstappen's great rival? For Norris, Verstappen's victory was "actually mostly luck". While a lot went against Norris in the race, Verstappen was actually lucky too - for example, when he was able to have his tires changed during one of the many interruptions without losing even a second of time. But soon nobody was asking about that: "We stayed calm. And we flew!" says Verstappen. And the winner is always right.
SDA
