F1 news LIVE: Max Verstappen taunts British press after stunning win in Brazil
F1 reaction after Verstappen surges from P17 to P1 to win chaotic wet race in Sao Paulo on Sunday
Max Verstappen dealt a fatal blow to Lando Norris’ F1 world championship hopes by racing from 17th on the grid to win a rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix in a performance for the ages.
A poor qualifying display and engine penalty meant Verstappen started Sunday’s round with only three cars behind him. But Verstappen assumed the lead of the race on lap 43 of 69 and never looked back in the treacherous conditions to claim a remarkable win that edges him ever closer to a fourth consecutive title.
Verstappen becomes the first driver since Kimi Raikkonen 19 years ago to win a race from as far back on the grid, taking the chequered flag an extraordinary 19.4 seconds clear of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who were a surprise second and third for Alpine.
George Russell was fourth, one spot ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Norris, who started from pole position, finished only sixth on a desperately disappointing afternoon for the British driver in Sao Paulo.
Follow all the latest updates from the Brazilian Grand Prix:
Max Verstappen calls out ‘British press’ after wet-weather masterclass in Brazil
After fielding a series of questions in the FIA’s official media call 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?”
Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who finished third and was sitting alongside Verstappen, added: “That’s a fair question.”
COMMENT: How Max Verstappen exposed Lando Norris’ flaws with drive of his life in Brazil
The scene was set under the dark skies of the Interlagos Circut in Sao Paulo. Lando Norris was on pole; Max Verstappen was 16 places behind. With 44 points between the championship contenders, this was the day McLaren had been waiting for. This was the day of the much-needed points swing in the drivers’ championship. This was the day Norris’ challenge launched into reality.
But what you need to know about the highly-charged, fired-up version of Verstappen is that – with his back against the wall at the back of the grid – he thrives in such circumstances. A figure of immense anger in the morning after some misfortune in qualifying, following a 20-second penalty a week earlier in Mexico, he had a point to prove. To his rivals. To the “British press”. But perhaps most of all, to himself.
Full piece below:
How Max Verstappen exposed Lando Norris’ flaws with drive of his life in Brazil
Verstappen surged through the field to seal his greatest win and he is now tantalisingly close to a fourth title
Lando Norris reacts after Max Verstappen’s shock F1 win in Brazil: ‘It’s not talent, it’s just luck’
Lando Norris insists Max Verstappen “got lucky” after the Dutchman claimed a sensational win at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Norris, who started on pole position, lost the lead at the start to George Russell with both British drivers dropping places after pitting just before a red flag.
Verstappen, however, surged through the field from 17th on the grid early on before benefiting from the race stoppage as he was able to change tyres without losing second position.
Full piece below:
Norris reacts after Verstappen’s shock Brazil win: ‘It’s not talent, it’s just luck’
Verstappen started 17th but claimed a sensational win amid drama in the rain at Interlagos
Statement from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali:
“I want to thank all our fans and everyone working across the sport for their patience and dedication this weekend. I believe it was the right thing to do to move qualifying and the race to earlier on Sunday to maximise the opportunity for racing to take place because of the potential forecast later in the day.
“It is a tribute to our fans in Brazil that over 290,000 joined us for this incredible weekend of racing and we had an unforgettable race.
“A big thanks to all the fans, FIA, promoter, drivers, teams, media, broadcasters, and marshals that made the weekend a great success under challenging circumstances.”
RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen deals fatal F1 title blow to Lando Norris with stunning win in Brazil
Max Verstappen dealt a fatal blow to Lando Norris’ F1 world championship hopes by racing from 17th on the grid to win a rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix in a performance for the ages.
A poor qualifying display and engine penalty meant Verstappen started Sunday’s round with only three cars behind him. But Verstappen assumed the lead of the race on lap 43 of 69 and never looked back in the treacherous conditions to claim a remarkable win that edges him ever closer to a fourth consecutive title.
Max Verstappen deals fatal F1 title blow to Lando Norris with stunning win in Brazil
The Dutchman claimed a remarkable win from P17 that edges him ever closer to a fourth consecutive title
Fernando Alonso said his back was ‘hurting’ at end of Brazil GP
“I will finish the race for the mechanics,” Alonso said on team radio. “They did a very good job today. But my back is hurting, man. This bouncing is not normal.”
“There was a lot of bouncing, a lot of porpoising in the second half of the race,” he said afterwards. “I don’t know why, but it was a tough race. We were out of the points.
“I think in any other circumstances, probably I would have stopped. But the mechanics did an incredible job before the race to put the car ready on the grid, so I had to finish it for them.”
Driver Standings after Brazil GP
The gap for Max Verstappen is now 62 points with three races remaining.
1. Max Verstappen - 393 points
2. Lando Norris - 331 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 307 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 262 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 244 points
6. George Russell - 192 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 190 points
8. Sergio Perez - 151 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 31 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda - 28 points
12. Pierre Gasly - 26 points
13. Lance Stroll - 24 points
14. Esteban Ocon - 23 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 14 points
16. Alex Albon - 12 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
18. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 4 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Max Verstappen celebrates win in Brazil:
COMMENT: How Max Verstappen exposed Lando Norris’ flaws with drive of his life in Brazil
How Max Verstappen exposed Lando Norris’ flaws with drive of his life in Brazil
Verstappen surged through the field to seal his greatest win and he is now tantalisingly close to a fourth title
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments