Formula 1 is not just about money, fame, and sponsorship for racing. The biggest thing the sport needs is the skill to race in all conditions. There are very few drivers in the history of the sport who can pull out a win like Max Verstappen did in the Brazil Grand Prix against all the odds.
One-of-a-kind driver
Legends like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen, and Sebastian Vettel are some of the few drivers in Formula 1 who surprised us with Racing mastery in the rain. Max Verstappen joins the list of these legends and showed us one of the greatest-ever wins in the Interlagos circuit. Let’s see how he turned all the odds against him and won the race in Brazil.
Pre-race tension
Before the Brazilian Grand Prix, everyone from the media houses especially the British media were very critical of Max Verstappen as they always do. They were more particular about his aggressive driving during the Mexican Grand Prix where he pushed Lando Norris out of the track.
Former World champion Damon Hill lashed out at the Dutchman as he claimed Max of using ‘Fear and Intimidation on track’ to overtake others. Verstappen replied that he is a three-time world champion and he knows what he is doing. Hill again asked, “He knew what he was doing, but is it right and fair?”
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Verstappen ended the conversation by saying he knows people who are against him and doesn't care about what they are saying. He even lashed at the British media for being biased towards British drivers and critical of non-British drivers in Formula 1.
Rain-soaked Interlagos a big challenge
Max Verstappen knows he doesn't have the fastest car. So he needs to be aggressive in his driving to get to the podium and that is what the Dutchman did. After missing out on the wet qualifying session due to a bizarre red flag incident Max was pushed to P17 due to an engine penalty.
At the beginning of the race, Max Verstappen showed one of the best-ever racing skills on camera. He just waited for the traction to pick up and overtook cars in front of him at the outside line which is a masterclass. Every other driver struggled to keep their car on track but it looked like Max Verstappen became the flying Dutchman and he passed everyone at the front.
Lando Misses, Max hits
During the race, the rain got very intense and everyone changed their tyres to intermediates during the virtual safety car period after Hulkenberg went off track. Lando Norris and George Russell were the ones still running on the track and when they entered the pits the safety car period ended and they lost their lead.
The crash of Colapinto was the defining moment as Lando Norris and George Russell missed their strategy as the second Virtual safety car gave Verstappen the lead against Lando Norris. Max overtook the race leader Esteban Ocon and after that, there was no looking back. The three-time champion didn't even make one mistake as he raced cleanly and won the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Praise from the Legend
More than surprising us, Verstappen surprised himself with his true potential coming out at odd times. Even a legend like Lewis Hamilton was awestruck by Verstappen’s win in Brazil. The reigning champion was showered with all praise not because of his car but of his skills.
Lewis had a similar kind of race in the 2021 season but the 7-time champion acknowledged that Max Verstappen's win at Brazil 2024 was greater than his win. Nico Hulkenberg said, “It’s very tough to avoid making mistakes during the race unless you are Max Verstappen.” Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said, "The Red Bull car is not the difference this time, it's Max Verstappen who made the difference."
Also Read: 'I don't see British here'- Max Verstappen takes a jibe at media after spectacular win in Brazil GP
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