To win the Formula 1 Championship requires everything. All. From the team to the driver, from the regulations to a good dose of luck. But it is necessary to try to win. And perhaps this is the greatest lesson of it São Paulo GP this Sunday, very well translated by Max Verstappen. Punished and amidst a disastrous ranking, the Dutchman did not give up and played a leading role in Bridge maybe the best race of my career.
Taking advantage of the wet track that he likes so much, he swallowed up his opponent in the first laps until he was struggling for victory. It’s true that he had provided a red flag, but he was also able to position himself to take advantage of it. he made the right decisions and stayed firm until the final checkpoint, ending a fast that had already lasted almost five months. The great victory, in the conditions that existed, not only brought back the lightness of the beginning of the year, but practically buried any hope of a dispute from the rival. Lando Norris. That’s how you get a title.
Verstappen came to Brazil still surrounded by criticism for his excessive aggressiveness in the previous stage, in City of Mexicoin which he ended up being punished twice. As if that wasn’t enough, I already knew that I had to enter a new sanction in the capital city of São Paulo. This was due to the engine change — there were five positions on the grid at Interlagos. That wasn’t the only penalty for the driver on the weekend, it’s worth saying.
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Either way, Max focused on what was important: results. Enter the competition sprintin which he almost came into the fight for victory. He finished third, but dropped to fourth after a new imposition by the race stewards. It was the distance to Norris at that time 44 points. But classification was still to be played. Due to the storm that hit São Paulo on Saturday, the session was moved to Sunday. And in this new schedule, driver #1 did poorly and had to settle for 17th, and Lando took a powerful pole. An ideal situation was then created for the English — at that moment, given the circumstances, the difference between them would only be 19 goals. The World Cup is completely open, then.
But the two would live very different stories in the afternoon in São Paulo. Although rain played a decisive role in the race, the conditions were the same for both. Including in terms of strategic decision. It turns out that, despite the advantage of being on top, Norris lost the opportunity to win. He lost the lead even before braking in turn 1 to George Russellafter a historic
delay during the opening ceremony — which ended up in the steward’s room, actually. Meanwhile, Verstappen swept his opponents, climbing the pack. He gained six positions in the first lap alone. And he even fought with the Ferrari of it Charles Leclerc next. As the weather got tougher, there was a question of whether or not to stop to change the tires.
At that stage of the race, Norris had already overtaken Russell and was in the lead. That’s when McLaren decided to call the Englishman #4. Mercedes responded and activated its driver as well. Max, however, decided to wait a little longer to stop. The duo of Alpine too. The choice ended up being the right one, as the race saw a red flag just before the halfway mark. In this case, the Dutchman changed tires and continued ahead of his rival. When the actions resumed, Verstappen went after the leader at the time Esteban Oconto take the lead. Norris had more trouble with a bad restart, causing him to drop down the pack. the British driver from McLaren still had to switch positions with his team-mate, in an attempt to control the losses. Inês is dead, however.
From then on, son Jos set a strong pace and started to set faster laps in a row. There were 17 in total. The truth is that Verstappen was not aware of the penalty or his opponents. He took advantage of the wet floor and went forward, in a lesson in how to combine aggression and boldness, as well as a more cerebral stance. He didn’t make any mistakes either.
Verstappen’s stunning first lap at Interlagos (Video: Replay/TV)
Even in the adverse conditions that the climate of São Paulo has prepared for F1Verstappen stayed calm, checked every possibility and didn’t give anyone a chance. He controlled the momentum and went for a big win on one of the most classic tracks in the World Cup. Again, maybe the biggest of his career, considering the moment he’s going through. In other words, the Red Bull driver no longer has the best car on the grid and must always take advantage of it – the team also seem technically confused and still have a terrible second car , and the competition is increasing. The Dutch, however, seem not to be impervious to this. This Sunday, he led with precision, this time, without exaggeration or controversy. You don’t need it, after all.
The truth is that Max is on a different level than his peers on the grid and he knows it. It makes a difference at Red Bull. Even when the competitive level was lower, the driver was there looking for results, undermining his rivals. As amazing as McLaren’s growth has been, the team and Norris are not yet ready for a championship. Examples are mistakes in order and omission of key points. About the leader of the F1 no ball is lost.
Verstappen is a pure driver, a fighter. And while he’s had to adjust some rough edges, the nearly four-time champion has been sitting at the table of the biggest names in the sport — for a while, actually. He understands championships and how to win them, because he really wants to win them. There is the difference.
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Edges in his driving style recently, his performance at Interlagos showcased his ability to adapt and excel under pressure. Despite the penalties and previous criticisms, Verstappen displayed remarkable skill and determination, demonstrating why he’s a top contender in the championship.
His strategic choices during the race, particularly his decision to delay a tire change, proved pivotal. While rivals like Lando Norris struggled, Verstappen capitalized on the conditions, making up ground swiftly and taking control of the race. His ability to remain calm and focused amidst the chaos of racing showcased his maturity as a driver.
This victory not only boosted Verstappen’s morale but also reinforced his position as a key player in the championship battle. The resurgence of Red Bull, although not as dominant as in previous seasons, was apparent in Verstappen’s performance, and it underscores the competitive nature of the current Formula 1 landscape.
Ultimately, his win at Interlagos was more than just a return to form; it was a statement. Verstappen is ready to reclaim his spot at the top, reminding everyone that, despite challenges, he is still very much a force to be reckoned with in the world of Formula 1.