The Brazilian Grand Prix has always held a special place in Formula 1’s history, but this year’s race at São Paulo’s Interlagos circuit was a thriller for the ages. Amid torrential rain and relentless drama, Max Verstappen turned a chaotic day into a masterclass, surging from 17th on the grid to win by nearly 20 seconds—a remarkable feat that not only broke records but showcased Verstappen’s unyielding control and racecraft.
In conditions where most drivers struggled to stay on track, Verstappen found a way through, overtaking seven cars on the opening lap alone. With this win, he shattered Lewis Hamilton’s previous record of winning from 10th position at Interlagos, demonstrating once again that he’s the man to beat. Reflecting on the tumultuous day, Verstappen said, “My emotions today have been a rollercoaster.”
The 27-year-old had faced an uphill battle, having qualified poorly and then receiving a five-place grid penalty after needing to replace his engine. Yet, the Red Bull star remained focused. “With qualifying—being really unlucky with that red flag and starting P17—I knew it was going to be a very tough race, but we stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were fine,” Verstappen remarked to Brazilian racing legend Rubens Barrichello post-race.
Verstappen wasn’t the only driver wrestling with challenges on a day where rain turned the circuit into a slip-and-slide. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll spun out during the formation lap, triggering a delayed start and setting a chaotic tone for the race. On pole, Lando Norris faced immediate trouble, later investigated by stewards for a “starting procedure infringement” alongside George Russell and others who, amid the mayhem, moved before the green light. The stewards ultimately decided on post-race reprimands, intensifying the drama.
Despite the challenges, Verstappen kept his focus. Cutting through the field with laser-like precision, he capitalized on every gap while much of the grid floundered in the drenched conditions. Rain reduced visibility, leaving drivers searching for grip and a clear view through walls of spray from the cars ahead. “All of these things together, of course, made that result possible but [it’s] unbelievable to win here from so far back on the grid,” Verstappen stated.
Among those caught up in the mayhem was Australia’s Oscar Piastri, who attempted an ambitious overtake on Liam Lawson at turn one. The move led to contact, a spin, and eventually a 10-second penalty that pushed him back to eighth. Piastri, unfazed, apologized to Lawson during one of the red-flag stoppages. For Alpine, however, the turbulent conditions played to their advantage. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly stayed out of trouble and capitalized on the chaos, securing unexpected podium finishes. Their impressive results catapulted Alpine from ninth to sixth in the constructors’ standings, a leap that could mean millions in prize money if maintained.
The race’s pivotal moment came 27 laps in, as Nico Hulkenberg’s spin triggered a virtual safety car. In the flurry of pit stops that followed, Verstappen stayed on track, while Norris and Russell made the call to pit—one that would come back to haunt them. A subsequent red flag caused by Franco Colapinto’s heavy crash allowed every driver a free tire change, effectively neutralizing the earlier pit stops.
Russell briefly wrestled the lead from Norris and held onto it through much of the early stages, but Verstappen’s consistency and Red Bull’s strategic choices proved unbeatable. Verstappen extended his lead over Norris in the standings to a commanding 62 points, despite beginning the day a daunting 16 places behind.
The race, delayed and stretched by countless incidents, ultimately concluded in the early hours (AEDT), with Russell crossing the line fourth and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounding out the top five. As for Verstappen, his monumental win now sets him on a path to potentially clinch his fourth-straight championship title. With only three races left and 112 points still on the table, Verstappen is poised to cap off another dominant season.
Amid his record-breaking drive, Verstappen spoke candidly about the effort behind the result. “My emotions today have been a rollercoaster,” he said, reflecting on the victory. “We stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were fine.”
For fans and pundits alike, his performance at Interlagos was a reminder of his extraordinary skill and tenacity. With Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi still to come, and his lead in the championship extended, Verstappen has positioned himself not just to win but to make history once more.
To view the highlights, visit – F1 Sprint Highlights | 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix (youtube.com)
Be the first to comment