In one of the most sensational Formula 1 drives of his career, Max Verstappen powered his Red Bull from 17th on the grid to first place, conquering the soaked and treacherous Interlagos circuit. As he crossed the finish line, Verstappen all but sealed his championship with a performance that left his title rival, Lando Norris, grappling with what could have been a championship-defining race.
Starting on pole, Norris had the chance to close the gap on Verstappen, but it was George Russell who surged to the front at Turn 1, immediately dropping Norris down the ranks. Meanwhile, Verstappen, undeterred by his starting position, launched an astonishing charge, gaining eight places by the end of the first lap and climbing to fifth before the pit-stop phase began.
While both Norris and Russell pitted under a Virtual Safety Car, Verstappen made the bold decision to stay out. His strategy paid off handsomely when a red flag on Lap 33 reshuffled the order, placing him in second, ahead of Norris and Russell. This luck turned golden when Carlos Sainz’s crash on Lap 40 prompted another safety car restart, allowing Verstappen to snatch the lead from Esteban Ocon and sail to his 62nd career win.
As the race resumed, Norris’s troubles compounded. A braking error saw him drop to seventh, struggling for pace while Verstappen built a steady lead, highlighting the Dutchman’s unshakeable composure. Norris, who had once looked poised to reduce Verstappen’s championship lead, saw his hopes slip away as he wrestled with a lackluster McLaren, ultimately finishing sixth.
The chaos of the Brazilian GP also provided a shining moment for Alpine. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly secured an extraordinary double podium, lifting Alpine to sixth in the constructors’ standings with a 33-point haul—a stunning success amid the turmoil.
Further back, chaos abounded as penalties racked up, and drivers fought to keep their cars on the track. Lance Stroll’s race was over before it began as he spun out on the formation lap, and others, including Alex Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, and Sainz, also failed to finish due to the punishing conditions.
Norris, Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson all came under investigation for race-start infringements, leaving the final standings in question. But even if penalties follow, the headline remains clear: Verstappen’s championship lead extends to a commanding 58 points with just three Grands Prix and a single sprint race remaining.
As the dust settles on the Brazilian GP, Verstappen’s incredible comeback drive cements his legacy and leaves Norris wondering what could have been in the race that was supposed to revive his title dreams.
