SAO PAULO — Max Verstappen of the Netherlands answered critics after securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix 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 circuit, furious after qualifying 17th 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 have been from almost trying to destroy the garage to winning the race,” Verstappen said according to Reuters.
The Dutchman could secure the trophy in Las Vegas later this month. All he needs to do is to finish ahead of the McLaren driver. Other combinations could also secure the title for the 27-year-old.
“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 beyond 60 points with a fourth title now his for the taking.
That could be achieved at the next round in Las Vegas on Nov. 23.
After the Las Vegas GP on Nov. 23, there are races in Qatar (Dec. 1) and Abu Dhabi (Dec. 8), with a combined total of 86 points available.
The two Alpine drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, completed the podium. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started the race with a long shot at the drivers’ title, finished fifth.
In Brazil in 2016 Verstappen finished third after being 16th with 16 laps to go, but he said Sunday’s race 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,” he said.
“I think as a team we got all the calls right and the car had great pace.
“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-times world champion.”
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