Max Verstappen said he had been through an emotional “rollercoaster” after surging from 17th to win the Brazilian Grand Prix 2024 and put himself on the brink of retaining his Formula One world title with a first F1 triumph since June.
In a race featuring a red flag and two safety car appearances among a slew of incidents, Verstappen – demoted from 12th to 17th on the starting grid in a penalty for exceeding his engine allowance with a new power unit – soared six places on lap one and profited from Red Bull’s decision to resist pitting early.
Verstappen overtook Esteban Ocon on lap 43 and stormed to victory by more than 19 seconds, with his nearest rival in the driver standings, Lando Norris, taking sixth.
“The championship pendulum swings in one corner!” 🤯#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/WZwv6ozkzR
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 3, 2024
Sao Paulo GP: Verstappen Wins
“We stayed out of trouble, made the right calls and stayed calm,” said Verstappen. “We were flying. All of these things together made that result possible.
“I mean, unbelievable – to win here from so far back on the grid. It’s very hard to pass around here with the new tarmac. There’s only one line you can take but I just knew that I had to go for it.”
Norris is 62 points behind Verstappen with 86 points and three races of the 2024 season remaining.
RACE CLASSIFICATION
Max Verstappen’s performance will live long in the memory#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/tJ8Hu3UVcA
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 3, 2024
Brazilian Grand Prix Results
Ocon missed out on a second ever race win but helped lift Alpine to sixth in the constructors’ championship by finishing second on a podium completed by team-mate Pierre Gasly.
“What a day that was,” reflected the Frenchman. “After a difficult season, it’s really nice to be driving here and having the performance levelled out in the rain.
“Someone very important to all of us said a long time ago that in the rain the cars are almost equal. That phrase didn’t age at all.
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 3, 2024
“I’m very happy today to be on podium. It’s been awesome and the support I receive here from all the Brazilian fans is incredible. I can’t thank everyone enough.
“The car was extremely difficult on the dry and it felt at ease when it started to rain.
“I really wanted to get some laps in the rain. I love it here in the rain. Today has brought a special race for us.”
