Max Verstappen sniped at criticism from British media pundits after putting himself on the cusp of his fourth consecutive world championship title with a masterclass to win the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Dutchman came back from 17th on the grid to take victory at Interlagos, while his title rival Lando Norris fell back from pole to finish sixth. The British driver had trailed by 44 points but is now 62 behind, with 86 remaining on the table. If Verstappen is 60 ahead after the next round in Las Vegas, then the Red Bull driver will be champion.
The victory was his first since June, and following recent feisty exchanges on track with Norris, Verstappen had been fiercely critiqued for his behaviour from the likes of former F1 drivers Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert.
Hill, who won the 1996 drivers’ championship, had compared him to the Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly, while Brundle said the Dutch driver’s legacy was being “tainted” in the wake of his 20-second penalty in Mexico for forcing Norris off the road twice. Herbert, now an FIA steward, claimed Verstappen’s driving had been “harsh” and “over the top”.
Following his triumph in Interlagos, Verstappen said: “I have a quick question. I mean, I appreciate all of you being here, but I don’t see any British press. Do they have to run to the airport, or they don’t know where the press conference is?”
Verstappen also described his victory as “incredibly important” to the title fight as he had been expecting to see his lead reduced after Norris had secured pole from a delayed qualifying session. “My emotions today were a rollercoaster,” he added. “We stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls and we were flying.”
When asked about what he expects next, he said: “I just want clean races, that’s all. I am not thinking about clinching the championship in Vegas or whatever.”
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, has insisted the team are focused on sealing the Formula One constructors’ championship and that he is enormously proud of their achievement over the season, in the wake of Norris’s challenge for the drivers’ title all but falling away.
Norris had been jumped by Mercedes’ George Russell from the off in Brazil, costing him time and later locked up at turn one dropping him three places, while the team’s decision to bring him into the pits shortly before a red flag handed a free tyre change to Verstappen.
Stella nonetheless defended his driver, noting he believed the car was at fault for the lock-up at turn one and said the team were still targeting the constructors’ title, which they lead from Ferrari by 36 points. Red Bull are a further 13 points back in third.
“The constructors’ was always our priority,” he said. “So this doesn’t change anything. When it comes to the drivers, I don’t think for Lando there was any particular pressure. We were enjoying this quest.
“Sometimes from outside it may come across like there was an error there. When you lock the tyres with a car I am not looking at the driver, I am looking at why the car keeps locking the tyres.”
McLaren have been criticised for not making more of the advantage their car has enjoyed, largely being the quickest in the field since the Miami Grand Prix but Stella maintained he was pleased with the team’s performance across the season and that it bodes well for the future.
“Since we delivered lap time to the car in Miami, McLaren have outscored by far every other competitor,” he said. “We had the best car at a few events [but] not all, so the team and drivers operated at very high standards.
“We take these high standards as a positive, as the foundation to keep building. We are extremely happy with what we have been able to achieve and the standards at which we have been operating throughout the season.”
Interview between the Time.news Editor and F1 Expert Dr. Lisa Green
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Green! It’s great to have you here to discuss the exciting world of Formula 1 and the recent São Paulo Grand Prix. Max Verstappen’s recent victory seems pivotal. What are your thoughts on how this win positions him for a potential fourth consecutive championship?
Dr. Lisa Green: Thank you for having me! Verstappen’s win in São Paulo was nothing short of remarkable. Coming back from 17th on the grid to cross the finish line in first place is a testament to both his driving skill and the strategic prowess of the Red Bull team. With Lando Norris falling back and now trailing Verstappen by 62 points, the odds are certainly stacked in Max’s favor for the championship, especially with 86 points still on the table.
Time.news Editor: Definitely! There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding Verstappen’s driving style, particularly after his exchanges with Norris during the season. How do you think the commentary from past drivers like Damon Hill and Martin Brundle will impact him moving forward?
Dr. Lisa Green: The criticism from former drivers stems from concerns about sportsmanship and safety on the track. When figures like Hill compare Verstappen to fictional villains or claim his legacy is being tainted, it gets a lot of attention. However, Verstappen seems unfazed, as indicated by his pointed remarks about the British press post-race. His focus on racing cleanly moving forward suggests he’s aware of the scrutiny but is determined to ignore the noise and perform at his best.
Time.news Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. In the press conference, Verstappen labeled his victory as “incredibly important.” What do you think that means for his mental state and his approach to the upcoming races, especially with Las Vegas next?
Dr. Lisa Green: Winning in Brazil resituates Verstappen’s momentum, especially after a lengthy gap since his last victory in June. Emotionally, he described the day as a ”rollercoaster,” which highlights the stress he has been under. His desire for “clean races” moving forward indicates he wants to eliminate drama and focus solely on performance. This mental shift could be crucial for him, as maintaining clarity and composure is key to clinching the championship.
Time.news Editor: Shifting gears to the McLaren team, it seems like Andrea Stella is projecting a focus on the constructors’ championship. How do you assess their performance this season, especially considering Norris’s challenge has seemingly faded?
Dr. Lisa Green: McLaren has made significant strides this season, and Stella’s comment showcases a strategic pivot to the constructors’ championship, which is essential for long-term success and resources. Norris’s earlier podium finishes and his competitiveness gave fans hope, but the drop-off in pace and performance has been disappointing. It’s crucial for the team to rally around their achievements and continue to develop their car for future seasons even if the individual driver’s championship isn’t within reach.
Time.news Editor: It’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds. With the chaos of the season so far, do you predict any major changes in team dynamics or strategies as we head into the final races of the season?
Dr. Lisa Green: Absolutely! As the pressure mounts, teams may shift their strategies significantly. We could see a more aggressive approach from McLaren to salvage their season and perhaps prioritize Norris’s development to keep him competitive. Meanwhile, Red Bull will likely double down on their winning formula, ensuring Verstappen’s title chase remains unimpeded. The dynamics in F1 often shift dramatically in the closing races, and it could make for some thrilling viewing!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Green! Your insights are always enlightening. We look forward to seeing how these elements will play out in the upcoming races!
Dr. Lisa Green: My pleasure! It’s a thrilling time in F1, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.