Max Verstappen also a favorite of Bernie Ecclestone, Christian Horner: “He called me after the GP”. In the Interlagos paddock, there was a special guest: the 'host' Bernie Ecclestone.

The former supremo didn’t miss his ‘home’ event
In the Interlagos paddock, there was a special guest: the ‘host’ Bernie Ecclestone. The former F1 supremo has been living in his ‘buen retiro’ in Brazil for years with his wife Fabiana and couldn’t miss the São Paulo Grand Prix.

Before the race, Bernie Ecclestone had openly declared himself a big supporter of Max Verstappen, expressing his expectation for a reaction from the Dutchman after the misfortune in qualifying. The three-time world champion did not disappoint the expectations of the British entrepreneur and manager, who told Sky Sports UK: “I cheer for whoever wins the race, meaning Max.”

Christian Horner revealed that he received a phone call from Bernie Ecclestone after the checkered flag: “Even though it’s very difficult to compare drivers from different generations and eras, Bernie told me, ‘I’ve seen many great drivers race, but Verstappen is truly among the greatest.’ And Bernie surely knows what he’s talking about, as he has indeed witnessed many of the greatest drivers race—certainly more than I have.”