Ayao Komatsu admits “Max Verstappen at Interlagos was like Ayrton Senna at Donington”. Max Verstappen and the magic of Interlagos.

Max Verstappen and the magic of Interlagos
Regardless of one’s opinion on Max Verstappen, it’s undeniable that the Dutch superstar has defined an era in Formula 1, delivering driving masterpieces worthy of the greats of the past for future generations to admire.

Especially in wet conditions, the world champion shines. The numbers confirm it: eight wins in 20 wet races (excluding Spa 2021), for a 40% win rate that surpasses even Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (36% and 35%, respectively). The only driver in the last 40 years to outperform Max Verstappen is Ayrton Senna (ten wins in 18 wet races, a 55% win rate). And it was at Magic’s home, this year’s Brazilian GP at Interlagos, that Super Max painted a masterpiece for the ages: a victory from 17th on the grid, delivering a psychological blow to championship rival Lando Norris, who started on pole but finished only sixth.

Ayao Komatsu’s comments
Max Verstappen’s victory also impressed his rivals. For Ayao Komatsu, Haas team principal, it was a performance worthy of Ayrton Senna: “It’s like Ayrton’s at Donington in 1993, when he took the lead overtaking everyone as if he were on different tires. Max did exactly the same—he passed them all as if they weren’t Formula 1 drivers,” commented the Japanese principal to RacingNews365. “I remember the track was extremely wet. I wouldn’t say the others looked like amateurs, but they seemed like they were in a different category.”

“I’ve never worked with Max, but his talent is incredible. Plus, he’s not influenced by people trying to intimidate him,” he continued. “His mental strength is phenomenal. When a young, extraordinary talent emerges, all the established drivers try to make things difficult for him and put pressure on him, but that didn’t faze Max. All the great champions of the past had this trait from day one.”