Max Verstappen was hailed as 'insane' and 'invaluable' on Sunday following his remarkable performance in the Brazilian Grand Prix, which saw him secure a crucial victory and edge closer to his fourth consecutive Formula One world title. The Red Bull driver triumphed in a chaotic, rain-soaked race at Interlagos, starting from 17th on the grid.
With his title rival, Lando Norris, finishing a disappointing sixth in his McLaren after starting from pole, Verstappen now holds a commanding 62-point lead with just three races remaining. The Dutchman could potentially clinch the championship during the upcoming race in Las Vegas.
'I was feeling all over the place, a roller-coaster,' Verstappen told reporters after his 62nd career win. 'My emotions went from wanting to destroy the garage after qualifying to winning the race.' He added, 'It's so unbelievable to win from so far back on the grid after expecting to drop points in the championship. There was so much at stake and I had to be aware of the championship too. So for me this is the best one.'
The rain intensified during the race, making conditions treacherous. Verstappen described the experience as 'like driving a boat or a jet-ski,' highlighting the special nature of his victory. This win marked his first Grand Prix victory in 10 races, dating back to the Spanish Grand Prix in May.
Verstappen's father, Jos, a former F1 driver, praised his son's performance, calling him 'insane today.' Red Bull team boss Christian Horner echoed this sentiment, describing Verstappen as 'invaluable.' 'That was a champion's drive. There's some great drivers out there, but to stand out and shine like that today -- that marks him out, I think, with some of the greats now,' Horner said.
Jos Verstappen also noted that his son's victory was a strong response to his English critics, who had been vocal about Max's aggressive driving at the Mexico City Grand Prix. 'Max was incredibly irritated,' Jos said, referring to the widespread criticism and penalties Max received. 'So he showed who is the very best — especially after the comments from the English journalists, those English ex-drivers and the commentators. Max was amazing today.'
With three races left, Jos expressed optimism about his son's chances for a fourth title, stating, 'As we have seen, a lot can happen very quickly, but, with three races to go, we have a bit more peace of mind so things are looking good.'
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
