This opened up a huge opportunity for pole sitter Lando Norris. 44 points behind Verstappen when the lights went out, he had a chance to ignite the F1 battle.

But in the end Red Bull the driver’s remarkable victory may have almost decided the race. He needs just 24 points in the last three rounds to guarantee the title.

If he finishes above Norris in Las Vegas, he will also be confirmed as champion. It is unclear whether Red Bull will have the pace to beat McLaren in dry conditions.

Indeed, Verstappen’s unique skills came to the fore in a treacherous Interlagos. He sailed through the pack with striking ease, executing a particularly impressive series of moves in turn one from a long way back.

Jenson Button remembers Max Verstappen passing him like he was standing still in Brazil

Verstappen’s fightback reminded many of his performance at the same venue in 2016, his first year at Red Bull. Then he only managed to finish third, but that was after gaining 13 places in the last 16 laps.

Talking further Sky Sports F1 before FP1 in Las Vegas GP, Jenson Button recalled the “surprise” of the F1 paddock after that display. Verstappen overtook him as if he was standing still.

That was the moment veteran McLaren star Button realized he had to retire. Verstappen, who had become the sport’s youngest ever driver in 2015, was just 19 at the time.

“I remember the last time Max Verstappen really surprised us all with how skilled he is in these difficult conditions, and that was Brazil 2016,” he said. “It was actually my last Brazilian Grand Prix.

“I normally loved those conditions, and he passed me like I was standing still. That’s when I knew it was time to leave.”

Max Verstappen laughs as he warns rivals about his wheel-to-wheel tactics

Verstappen’s aggression in wheel-to-wheel battle had been the biggest talking point ahead of the Sao Paulo GP. He received two 10-second penalties for running Norris off the track twice in the same lap.

But the Dutchman was exceptionally clean in his Brazil charge. In typical fashion, he somehow found more grip than the other 19 drivers, which he showed by setting nine of the 10 fastest laps.

When on the defensive, Verstappen says he will not let rivals pass on the outside. Norris has suffered from this stance on several occasions in 2024.

He may have to learn to outwit the 27-year-old if he is to dethrone him next season. Charles Leclerc “loves” racing Verstappenaccording to Peter Windsor, because he knows how to counter his tricks.

Related posts