Max Verstappen produced a remarkable comeback from 21st on the grid to finish second at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, helping Red Bull secure a double podium alongside Isack Hadjar, who finished third. The result represented an encouraging performance for the Milton Keynes-based team in a race dominated by unpredictable weather and constantly changing track conditions at Interlagos.
Lando Norris claimed victory for McLaren after controlling the race in São Paulo, finishing ahead of both Red Bull drivers. However, Verstappen’s recovery through the field was one of the standout performances of the afternoon, even though the Dutchman revealed that an unexplained deterioration in his car’s performance had made the second part of the race considerably more difficult.
Max Verstappen storms from 21st to second at Brazilian GP
Starting from 21st position, Max Verstappen faced a difficult challenge at Interlagos, particularly with the wet and changing conditions making grip levels unpredictable. Nevertheless, the Red Bull driver made immediate progress, taking advantage of the opening laps to overtake numerous competitors and move rapidly through the field.
Verstappen described his opening stint as exceptional, highlighting how important those early overtakes had been to his eventual second-place finish.
“The race was really complicated, partly because of the weather conditions,” Max Verstappen explained after the chequered flag. “The first few laps were very important. I managed to overtake a lot of cars and, overall, the opening stint was really excellent.”
His recovery was particularly significant given the challenges Red Bull had experienced during previous race weekends, including the starting difficulties discussed by Max Verstappen following qualifying in Mexico.
At Interlagos, however, the Dutchman was able to make the most of the opening phase and establish himself as a serious contender for a podium finish despite beginning the Grand Prix near the back of the field.
Max Verstappen reveals mysterious Red Bull performance drop
Despite the encouraging start, Verstappen admitted that his Red Bull subsequently lost performance for reasons he could not explain. The Dutch driver was unsure whether the problem had been caused by damage or another issue, but confirmed that the car no longer felt as it had throughout the rest of the weekend.
“After that, I don’t know why, but the car lost performance,” Verstappen continued. “I don’t know whether it was because of damage or something else, but it certainly didn’t give me the same feeling I’d had throughout the weekend.”
“In any case, I’m happy. Going from 21st to second is no small achievement.”
The loss of performance limited Verstappen’s ambitions during the second half of the Grand Prix, preventing him from making further progress towards Lando Norris. Nevertheless, the Dutchman’s recovery demonstrated his ability to gain positions quickly and remain competitive in difficult circumstances.
Red Bull had previously faced engine-related difficulties during Verstappen’s United States Grand Prix podium finish, although the cause of the performance loss in Brazil remained uncertain.
Isack Hadjar secures third place but admits mistakes in difficult conditions
Isack Hadjar completed an excellent afternoon for Red Bull by taking third place, securing the team’s second podium finish of the race. The French driver faced his own challenges as the weather evolved, particularly when switching from intermediate tyres to Soft slicks.
Hadjar admitted that avoiding mistakes had been difficult, with the pit lane and changing track conditions creating additional complications. He was pleased with his podium result but acknowledged that he could have handled certain moments more effectively, including his interactions with Verstappen.
“It was difficult and demanding, especially when switching from intermediates to Softs. Avoiding the traps was difficult, the pit lane was tricky, and then the rain arrived,” Isack Hadjar explained.
“I’m happy with third place, but I need to make fewer mistakes. I could have avoided a few problems with Max.”
The Frenchman also described the difficulty of understanding how much grip was available on the wet circuit, comparing the experience to driving on ice.
“It was difficult to keep the car on the track. I was testing the grip, and it was like driving on ice, just as happened to Antonelli. My team did a fantastic job, so thanks to them.”
Despite recognising areas for improvement, Hadjar’s performance represented an important contribution to Red Bull’s double podium at Interlagos.
Red Bull double podium highlights progress in challenging Brazilian GP
The Brazilian Grand Prix became a demanding test of adaptability as rain repeatedly influenced tyre choices, race strategies and the handling of the cars. The challenges posed by Interlagos’ tyre demands and wet-weather conditions were particularly relevant as drivers attempted to respond to changing levels of grip.
Lando Norris managed the critical phases effectively, building a substantial advantage that allowed him to control the race for McLaren. Behind him, Verstappen demonstrated his exceptional recovery skills, using the opening laps to gain crucial positions before his car’s declining performance restricted his ambitions.
Hadjar, meanwhile, showed maturity in managing a complicated race, securing a deserved podium while recognising that improvements were still possible in his wheel-to-wheel battles and overall precision.
The wet Interlagos circuit rewarded drivers who could respond quickly to changes in grip and minimise errors. Red Bull managed those challenges successfully enough to secure second and third places, while Ferrari and several other leading competitors found themselves further down the order.
Although the exact cause of Verstappen’s performance loss remains unclear, the Brazilian Grand Prix provided Red Bull with an encouraging result. Recovering from 21st to second and placing both drivers on the podium demonstrated the team’s competitiveness in difficult conditions and reinforced the impression that it is moving in the right direction.
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