Verstappen Dominates Wet Formula 1 Race in Brazil
(Motorsport News – November 2024) The 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix witnessed a scintillating performance from Max Verstappen, who delivered a champion-worthy drive to victory from 17th on the grid.
Verstappen, the Red Bull driver currently on the cusp of his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world title, overcame a disastrous qualifying session that saw him finish 12th, followed by a five-place grid penalty for an engine change, to produce a masterclass in the wet conditions at Interlagos.
Nobody has won a Grand Prix from so far back since the 2005 Japanese GP, where Kimi Raikkonen came from 17th on the grid to claim victory for McLaren. Verstappen’s remarkable drive now stands among the greatest comeback performances in Formula 1 history, joining the likes of John Watson’s wins from 17th and 22nd on the grid in the 1980s.
After a poor sprint race on Saturday, where title rival Lando Norris led a McLaren 1-2, Verstappen was determined to bounce back in the main event. And bounce back he did, making up seven places on the opening two laps alone as he exploited the wet conditions to his advantage.
The Dutchman’s relentless pace saw him swiftly move up the order, picking off one car after another, with Turn 1 proving a popular overtaking spot. By lap 22, Verstappen had already climbed to sixth position, and with the top cars ahead pitting under a Virtual Safety Car, the Red Bull driver was perfectly poised to capitalize.
When the race was red-flagged on lap 32 due to a crash, Verstappen was able to switch to fresh intermediate tires, leapfrogging the cars ahead of him. At the restart, he immediately overtook leader Esteban Ocon’s Alpine to take the lead and go on to claim his eighth victory of the 2024 season.
Verstappen’s dominant performance in Brazil has now extended his championship lead over Norris to a commanding 62 points, with just 86 still up for grabs. The 26-year-old is on the brink of securing his fourth consecutive Formula 1 title, further cementing his legacy as one of the all-time great drivers in the sport.
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