In a thrilling display at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Max Verstappen moved closer to securing his fourth Formula 1 title, showcasing why many believe he’s the top driver of his generation. Starting from 18th on a grid battered by heavy rain, Verstappen charged through the field to secure his first win since June, dominating the race and putting to rest any doubts about his place at the top.
Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, praised the Dutchman’s ability to handle the intense, rain-soaked conditions, comparing his error-free performance with that of title rival Lando Norris, who slid down to sixth from his pole position start. The result has all but dashed Norris’s slim championship hopes, giving Verstappen a 62-point lead with three races remaining. He now heads to Las Vegas with a shot at clinching the title.
“All this nonsense that’s been spread, and then this,” Marko told De Telegraaf, referring to recent questions around Verstappen’s form. “Max was flying. He was faultless and we couldn’t say the same for Norris. Here, you could see who the real champion is.”
Marko’s confidence was so high that he bet with Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, that the Red Bull star would at least reach the podium. But Verstappen went beyond expectations, capitalizing on a perfectly timed race stoppage that allowed him to snatch the lead and power to a comfortable 19-second victory.
“With Max’s race engineer, I had bet that Max would get on the podium,” Marko said, adding with a grin, “GP didn’t think so. We had put $100 on it, but I only predicted a podium, not a win. Max always finds a way to exceed expectations.”
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner also shared that legendary former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone called him post-race, full of praise for Verstappen’s performance. “Bernie rang me and said, ‘I’ve seen all the greats, but that’s one of the best I’ve ever seen,’” Horner recounted.
With Las Vegas up next, Verstappen’s dominance and precision under pressure have placed him on the brink of a fourth world title. And if the Brazilian GP was any indication, the Dutch driver’s brilliance has cemented his place among F1’s elite.
