Max Verstappen delivered one of the standout performances of his career at the 2024 Brazil Grand Prix, surging from a 17th-place start to an emphatic victory. The Red Bull driver’s win at Interlagos, his first since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, was a crucial blow to Lando Norris’ title hopes, with the McLaren driver unable to convert his pole position into a top finish and ultimately crossing the line in sixth.
A Turbulent Start and Early Chaos
Drama unfolded even before the race began, as Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin veered off track at Turn 4 on the formation lap, leading to an aborted start and a 10-minute delay. Norris, who was on pole, held his nerve initially, but George Russell in his Mercedes got the better launch and surged into the lead on the run to Turn 1. Meanwhile, Verstappen, starting from the back half of the grid, wasted no time in weaving through traffic, positioning himself in 11th by the end of the opening lap.
Verstappen’s Charge and Mid-Race Rain Shake-Up
Verstappen continued his charge with remarkable overtakes, displaying sheer confidence on the brakes at Turn 1. By Lap 15, he was up to the back of the main chase group, just behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari. Norris and Russell, who were leading, started to pull away from the pack, but Norris never seemed close enough to mount a serious challenge on the Mercedes up front.
The race took a major turn on Lap 27 when Nico Hulkenberg spun at Turn 1, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. With rain starting to intensify, teams scrambled to make crucial pit calls. Norris, who had been urging McLaren to bring him in for fresh tires, finally got his request granted on Lap 28. Russell and Tsunoda, running in the top three, also pitted, ceding their positions to Ocon, Verstappen, and Gasly, who gambled by staying out.
As the rain came down harder, Red Bull’s strategy gamble paid off, and just in time — a red flag was brought out after Franco Colapinto crashed on the pit straight. Under the red flag rules, Verstappen, Ocon, and Gasly benefited from a free tire change, giving them a crucial advantage over those who had already pitted.
Verstappen Takes Control in Restart Drama
When racing resumed with 35 laps left, Verstappen seized the opportunity, overtaking Ocon with a stunning inside move at Turn 1. Norris, still hopeful for a comeback, misjudged Turn 4 shortly after the restart, costing him precious positions. His misfortune continued as he tried to fend off Leclerc, running wide and slipping down to seventh place.
Another safety car was triggered after Carlos Sainz crashed his Ferrari, which further bunched up the field. This provided Verstappen an additional layer of security, allowing him to maintain control over the lead. Over the remaining laps, Verstappen pulled away, setting the fastest lap and securing the bonus point to extend his advantage in the standings.
Alpine Shines with a Historic Double Podium
The underdogs of the day were undoubtedly the Alpine team, who managed to achieve a double podium finish — their first since 2013. Esteban Ocon finished second, holding off a hard-charging Pierre Gasly in third. Alpine’s performance was a testament to their season-long progress, as they capitalized on the unpredictable race dynamics to secure one of their best finishes in years.
Title Hopes Slip Away for Norris as Championship Gap Widens
For Lando Norris, it was a weekend of missed opportunities. After starting from pole, the McLaren driver slipped back to sixth, significantly diminishing his hopes of challenging Verstappen for the title. By the time the checkered flag waved, Verstappen’s lead in the standings had expanded to 62 points, leaving Norris in a critical position with only a few races left in the season. The McLaren driver’s loss of 18 points to Verstappen in Brazil could very well be the turning point that solidifies the championship in favor of the Red Bull driver.
Final Standings and Constructors’ Shifts
Russell, who had a promising race start, ultimately finished fourth, just ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fifth. Oscar Piastri, despite a 10-second penalty for a collision with Liam Lawson, managed to finish in eighth after starting behind Norris. Tsunoda, in ninth, held off both Hamilton and Perez, showing the RB team’s resilience amid fierce competition.
The Brazilian Grand Prix also marked a major breakthrough for Alpine in the Constructors’ Championship, as their double podium result propelled them three spots from ninth to sixth. With their rivals faltering, the French team now has a solid foundation heading into the final rounds.
Full results from the race can be found here.
Reactions From the Top Three
After the conclusion of the race, the top three podium finishers shared their reactions.
First up, race winner Verstappen touched on the wide range of emotions he felt on the day.
“My emotions today have been a rollercoaster. With qualifying being really unlucky with the red flag, starting 17th, I knew that would be a tough race but we stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm and we were fine. — So all of these things together make that result possible but I think it’s unbelievable to win here from so far back on the grid.”
Alpine French duo Ocon and Gasly both delighted to see their hard work this season payoff with a podium appearance.
Ocon: “What a day that was after a difficult season. It’s really nice to be driving around here and having the performance a bit levelled out in the rain. Someone very important to all of us said a long time ago that in the rain the cars are almost equal.”
Gasly agreed and added: “No one believed it until the end, two cars on the podium I don’t think anyone would have that on the bingo card this season so it’s just fantastic.”
Looking Ahead to Vegas
As the championship heads to Austin, Texas, Verstappen’s 62-point advantage over Norris means he only needs a 60-point lead after the Las Vegas Grand Prix to clinch his fourth world title with two races remaining. With momentum now firmly in his favor, Verstappen’s Brazilian Grand Prix victory has not only reshaped the championship narrative but also showcased his enduring resolve to win.
The road to Vegas is paved with excitement. Verstappen inches closer to a championship that now feels all but inevitable. Will luck continue to shine down on Verstappen and Red Bull as the team will look to parlay the Brazil victory into more points in Las Vegas? We will soon find out.
