At the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Max Verstappen orchestrated one of Formula 1's most remarkable comebacks. Starting from a distant 17th position due to a grid penalty, the Dutch champion carved his way through the field in challenging wet conditions to secure his first victory since June's Spanish Grand Prix.
Chaos and Strategy in Brazilian Classic
The rain-soaked victory at Interlagos began dramatically even before the lights went out, with Lance Stroll's formation lap crash causing confusion on the grid. The Canadian driver had spun his Aston Martin on the formation lap, resulting in an aborted start and a red flag delay as marshals worked to clear the track. This reshuffling of the grid order ultimately played into Verstappen's hands.
As the race finally got underway, Verstappen would showcase his talent, gaining six positions on the opening lap alone. While pole-sitter Lando Norris and George Russell battled at the front, Verstappen picked off his rivals in the treacherous conditions. He passed former title rival Lewis Hamilton early on and continued his charge through the field.
The turning point came when a second red flag was thrown following a heavy crash for rookie Franco Colapinto in his Williams. This reshuffling of the pack placed Verstappen in striking distance of the lead, with the Red Bull driver finding himself hunting down Esteban Ocon for first place after the restart.
Verstappen Seizes His Moment
As the race progressed, further drama unfolded, with Carlos Sainz's accident bringing out another safety car. Recognizing his chance, Verstappen executed a decisive move at Turn 1 to take the lead, a position he would never relinquish.
In the closing laps, Verstappen pulled away from his pursuers, crossing the line nearly 20 seconds ahead of Ocon, with Pierre Gasly completing a surprise double podium for Alpine.
Wrapping Up
The victory marked Verstappen's 10th win of the season. It also extended his championship lead to 62 points with just three rounds remaining, putting him on the verge of securing his fourth consecutive world title.
"Starting in P17, I knew it would be a very tough race," Verstappen said after his triumph. "We stayed out of trouble, made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were flying. All of these things together made this unbelievable win possible."
Verstappen's win marked a memorable moment in the 2024 Formula 1 season, proving once again why he remains the sport's dominant force. With the championship battle now heading to Las Vegas, fans will remember Verstappen's remarkable Sao Paulo performance on one of Formula 1's most challenging circuits.