2 weeks Ago By The Straits Times
SAO PAULO – Max Verstappen answered critics of his driving with a statement victory in Brazil on Nov 3 that ranked among the best of his Formula One career. Red Bull’s triple world champion rode a roller coaster of emotions at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit, furious after qualifying in 17th place and then elated as everything slotted into place. Verstappen passed six cars on lap one, was 10th after lap two and then worked his way through the rest of the field to take the lead and disappear into the distance.
In a wet and chaotic race punctuated by crashes, safety car periods and a long stoppage just before the half distance, he still won by more than 19 seconds to end a run of 10 races without a win. “I don’t even know where to start, because my emotions today have been from almost trying to destroy the garage to winning the race,” he said. “I was just very motivated to get a good race and just let the race pan out and see what happens.
Because in a wet race, always some crazy things can happen.” Verstappen went from expecting his then-44 point lead to be further whittled away by McLaren rival Lando Norris, starting on pole, to seeing it stretched to 62 points with a fourth title now his for the taking. That could be achieved at the next round in Las Vegas on Nov 23.
In Brazil in 2016, Verstappen finished third after being 16th with 16 laps to go, but he said the race on Nov 3 was far more meaningful. “This one is definitely much more crucial than back in the day. There I had nothing to lose.
I was not in a championship fight and I was coming from the back after the strategic mistake we had. Now there was a lot more at stake,” he explained. “So I had to be more controlled, more aware of the championship.
So, for me, definitely this one is the best one (of the two).” Team boss Christian Horner was unstinting with his praise. “He was in a league of his own.
I think, as a team, we got all the calls right and the car had great pace,” he said. “An outstanding drive. To come from 17th, this morning it felt everything had gone against us but he turned it round.
.. one of his very best.
” Damon Hill, Britain’s retired 1996 world champion who had accused Verstappen of “Dick Dastardly stuff” and using his car as a weapon against Norris after recent clashes between the pair, had no complaints this time. “That’s one of those drives..
. we sort of projected at the beginning that this would be the day he could show everyone his brilliance and he’s absolutely done that today,” he told Sky Sports television. “Credit where credit is due.
I’ve never said he’s not a great driver. He did that completely cleanly, he sliced through the field and showed everyone why he’s such a brilliant driver and going to be four-time world champion.” For Norris, however, it was a race that was littered with mistakes and some bad luck.
The McLaren driver came home in sixth, behind surprise podium finishers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly – second and third respectively – of the Alpine. “It was all about position loss,” said Norris, referring to McLaren’s decision to call him in for fresh tyres, while Red Bull waited for a red flag stoppage to pit Verstappen. “We were just under the red flag with a free stop for the others.
So it was unfortunate, nothing more.” He added: “It was a difficult day. I made a couple of mistakes that cost me against George (Russell) and cost me against Charles (Leclerc).
Nothing more. It was a tough day. I did my best.
I’ve had a lot of good races and it was about time that something didn’t go right.” When asked about Verstappen’s performance, to slice through the field and claim his first win since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, Norris said: “He drove well. He got a bit lucky today, but that’s life.
” REUTERS, AFP.
