Verstappen finally ended his winless streak in fine style at São Paulo Grand Prix as he commanded the field in the difficult conditions to win the race from P17, putting a certain end to his rival Lando Norris‘ title chances.

The Dutchman has a 62-point lead over the McLaren driver and could seal the deal Las Vegas Grand Prix by beating Norris in the race. The two rivals have had fierce battles throughout the season, with incidents in the previous triple header garnering all the attention in the paddock.

Norris was penalized on US Grand Prix for passing Verstappen off the track at Turn 12. The Brit claimed to be ahead at the front and was pushed off the track, but Karun Chandhok saw a new angle which showed that Verstappen was actually in front going into the corner.

The two would come to blows again at Mexico City Grand Prixbut this time it was the Red Bull driver who bore the brunt of the stewards as he was handed a 20-second time penalty for forcing Norris off the track at turn four and 10.

Max Verstappen tells his rivals they should prepare to overtake him on a cut-back due to his aggressive defending

Damon Hill said Verstappen ‘lost respect’ over his on-court antics, but the Dutchman seems unfazed as he has reiterated that he abides by the rules.

Verstappen joked that he would need a drink in the pit lane for when he receives additional punishment for his aggressive driving – which is what the 27-year-old has been known for throughout his career, especially when it comes to defending the inside line.

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Verstappen says he won’t let people pass him on the outsideand talking to BBC Sportshe described to his rivals how they would go about overtaking him on track.

Asked if he felt he was being singled out for his penalties in Mexico City, Verstappen said: “Honestly, even if they would have done that or did that, first of all I don’t care because I drive to what I think is possible and what is possible is allowed in the rules. And if the rules are written, then I will use the rules.

“If it would have happened to me the other way around, I don’t think I would have been the person to complain so hard because I would just think ‘okay, if that’s the rules, that’s how we do it’ instead of screaming that we have to change the rules .”

When asked how someone is expected to overtake him, he replied: “It depends on the track layout. Of course, when the track is naturally the limit, nobody tries to go around the outside because they know that, so you then try to go for the cut or line up in a different way.

Max Verstappen must beat Lando Norris to secure the 2024 title in Las Vegas

Verstappen’s incredible performance in Sao Paulo has almost reduced the chances of Norris beating him to the title.

The Brit needs to overtake the Dutchman by three points to take the fight to Qatar, but with a gap of 62 points, Red Bull would need to have a catastrophic disaster in the final three races for Verstappen to lose the title at this stage.

Many will wonder if this should be considered a failure from Norris, given that he has had the fastest car for much of the season while Verstappen struggled to even finish on the podium after the Spanish Grand Prix.

Norris has “realised” he needs Nico Rosberg’s ruthlessness from 2016 if he is to beat Verstappen in 2025. With not much expected to change next year – with the new technical regulations coming in 2026 – the two rivals are sure to have another intense battle at the front.

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