Max Verstappen has explained how his blistering start to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday made his decisive victory so “emotional”.
Verstappen started 17th but showed his class in the rain to end his 10-race winless streak and take a 62-point lead over Lando Norris with just three rounds to go.
The Dutchman’s low grid position was the result of an unfortunate Q2 exit earlier on Sunday, after Saturday’s storms saw the session pushed back until the morning of the race.
Verstappen, who was penalized five places further down the grid for taking a new engine at the start of the weekend, admitted he battled the disappointment of his retirement.
“It’s definitely an emotional win. I was very sad this morning and my emotions went from left to right today,” Verstappen said. Sky Sports F1.
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Highlights of Sunday’s race from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won after starting 17th.
“I surprised myself today when I won here. We had a really good start, stayed out of trouble, made good laps and were very fast.
“We made the right calls with the red flag to stay out. All of a sudden it started raining and it was impossible to drive even with a wet tyre.
“The calls with the team too, I know they’re very calm and just great at helping me make the right decisions. That’s big in races like this.
He later added to the written press: “I don’t even know where to start because my emotions today ranged from almost trying to destroy the garage to winning the race.”
Verstappen reveals secrets of wet skill
Verstappen made a great start to Sunday’s race after gaining six places in one lap, including a move with Lewis Hamilton at Turn One, a corner he used to great effect as he took cars one by one, eventually edging out Ocon. after restarting the security machine.
The key move came when Red Bull decided to keep him out during the Virtual Safety Car, allowing Verstappen to overtake three cars, including Norris, before a red flag allowed him to fit fresher tires without losing time.
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After Carlos Sainz’s crash brought out the safety car, Max Verstappen overtook Esteban Ocon to take the lead in the race in Brazil.
“I had a good feeling that I could come forward. I felt comfortable. I drove a lot in the wet with my dad and my best friends,” Verstappen continued.
“We practice a lot of different scenarios every time. Naturally, it makes you comfortable in these conditions, but the car still has to work. That gave me confidence today.
“I’m just incredibly happy with this result. It was an incredible race for us.”
Verstappen ranks the victory in Sao Paulo among his best
Verstappen has now won 62 races, with only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (105) standing on the top step of the podium more times.
Sunday’s performance was reminiscent of Verstappen’s podium at Interlagos in 2016 when he stormed through the field in the wet.
“This one is definitely more important than before. I had nothing to lose there. I wasn’t in the championship fight and I was coming from the back after the strategic mistake we had,” said Verstappen.
“There was a lot more at stake now. So I had to be more in control, more aware of the championship. So for me, this is definitely the best (of the two).
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George Russell overtook Lando Norris in the first corner and Max Verstappen quickly passed Lewis Hamilton to move up to 10th.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the team “never expected” victory and believed Verstappen was “the best in the world” in all conditions.
“It was a master class, and in those conditions the skill of the driver really comes to the fore, and he was in a league of his own,” he said. Sky Sports F1.
“As a team, we got all the calls right and the car had a great pace. It looked like everything was going against us this morning, but he turned it around.
“He had a great start, six cars in the first lap. It was an incredible performance from him, one of his best.”
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