Max Verstappen delivered a performance for the ages to secure victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix earlier this month. Despite starting from 17th on the grid, he crossed the finish line 19 seconds ahead of the competition.
A contentious red flag at a critical moment led to Max Verstappen’s first Q2 exit of the season in the rescheduled Sunday morning qualifying. Adding to the challenge, he was handed a five-place grid penalty for an engine change.
This opened the door for Lando Norris, who started from pole. With 44 points separating him from Verstappen at the start of the race, Lando Norris had an opportunity to reignite the championship battle.
However, Max Verstappen’s remarkable drive ultimately may have sealed the title fight. With just 24 points needed from the remaining three races, he is on the verge of securing the championship.
A win over Norris in Las Vegas would guarantee his title. Whether Red Bull can match McLaren’s pace in dry conditions remains uncertain.
Max Verstappen’s exceptional skill was on full display at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, where he effortlessly carved through the field, notably executing a series of remarkable passes at turn one from a significant distance.
Jenson Button reminisced about Max Verstappen’s similar drive in 2016 at the same circuit, his first season with Red Bull. That race saw Verstappen make up 13 places in the final 16 laps, ultimately finishing third.
Speaking ahead of FP1 at the Las Vegas GP on Sky Sports F1, Jenson Button recalled how the F1 paddock was stunned by Verstappen’s pace. When Verstappen passed him like he was “stood still,” it marked the moment Button realized it was time for him to retire. The Dutchman, then just 19 years old, had already made history as the youngest-ever Formula 1 driver in 2015.
“I remember last time Max Verstappen really surprised us all with how skilful he is in those tricky conditions, and it was Brazil 2016. It was actually my last Brazilian Grand Prix. I normally loved those conditions, and he came past me like I was stood still. That’s when I realised it’s time to leave.” – the former Formula 1 driver admitted.
Max Verstappen chuckled as he warned his competitors about his aggressive approach to wheel-to-wheel racing. His assertiveness in direct combat was one of the key topics leading up to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, especially after he received two 10-second penalties for forcing Lando Norris off the track twice in a single lap.
However, in Brazil, the Dutch driver exhibited an unusually clean and measured performance. As is typical for him, he seemed to extract more grip than the other drivers, setting nine of the ten fastest laps during the race.
When defending his position, Verstappen made it clear that he does not allow opponents to pass on the outside. This tactic has caused significant frustration for Norris throughout the 2024 season.
If Lando Norris is to challenge Max Verstappen for the title next year, he may need to find a way to outsmart the 27-year-old. According to Peter Windsor, Charles Leclerc enjoys racing against Verstappen because he has figured out how to counter his aggressive moves and tricks.
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