Max Verstappen delivered a masterful drive, climbing from 17th on the grid in Sau Paulo, to claim one of his biggest wins, putting him within reach of his fourth world title.
With only 86 points left in the championship, Verstappen now leads rival Lando Norris by 62 points.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, 1st position during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images)
The Red Bull driver will secure the championship if he leaves the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 23 with a lead of at least 60 points.
Amid treacherous conditions, Verstappen’s Red Bull displayed extraordinary precision. He surged through the field despite a chaotic, wet race marked by a red flag, two safety car periods, and numerous incidents.
This is the driver’s first victory since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly completed the podium, delivering an unexpected boost to Alpine, moving the team up from ninth to sixth in the constructors’ standings.
How Verstappen Conquered the Sao Paulo Rain
The race began under heavy rain, and Verstappen quickly gained six positions on the first lap. Starting from 17th due to an engine penalty, he was soon contending for the top spots.
As the rain intensified, strategies diverged. Verstappen’s Red Bull stayed out during a virtual safety car period triggered by Nico Hulkenberg’s spin, opting to remain on track as Norris and George Russell pitted for fresh tires.
Alpine and Red Bull’s decision to stay out proved advantageous when the worsening rain led to a full safety car and, eventually, a red flag following Franco Colapinto’s crash. This allowed the teams to change tires without losing track position.
At the restart, Ocon briefly led, but Verstappen seized control after a later safety car, overtaking Ocon to lead the final 26 laps. “Starting P17, I knew it was going to be a tough race,” Verstappen said. “We stayed out of trouble, we stayed calm, and we were flying. All these things made this possible.”
Norris’ Title Hopes Fade
Lando Norris, McLaren, comes in for a stop during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images)
Norris’ title hopes took a hit after two off-track incidents dropped him from pole position to a sixth-place finish.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix also saw investigations into several drivers, including Norris, for formation lap errors.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton managed to secure a point, finishing 10th.
Full Race Results and Next Steps
With Verstappen’s victory, he now sits on the brink of clinching his fourth title, needing just a 60-point lead after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
