Bernie Ecclestone (94), given his age and as a former owner of Formula 1, has seen the greatest drivers in history. Yet last Sunday in Brazil, the Briton was overwhelmed by what he saw from Max Verstappen, who rode from seventeenth place to victory in the rain. Ecclestone immediately picked up the phone and called Christian Horner.
He was at the helm of the premier class of motorsport for more than forty years. Ecclestone saw the greatest drivers in action, from Ayrton Senna to Michael Schumacher and from Jackie Stewart to Lewis Hamilton. Yet last Sunday the billionaire stood on the benches clapping for Verstappen. The Dutchman’s masterclass in the rain at Interlagos was something Ecclestone had rarely seen in his long career as Formula 1 CEO. When Verstappen, who had started from seventeenth place, crossed the line as the winner, Ecclestone immediately grabbed his phone. A call to Red Bull team boss Horner followed.
Verstappen overtook several drivers in the opening phase and moved up to the top ten. He then continued his way up and even managed to win the race. It was not only a sensational race, but also the final blow for title rival Lando Norris. Due to Verstappen’s supreme performance, the McLaren driver can almost completely forget about the championship. Ecclestone saw Verstappen do something rarely seen and called Horner to compliment him. “Bernie called me after the race and said, ‘I’ve seen all the greats, and this is one of the best I’ve ever seen,'” Horner said after the race, according to the British newspaper. The Mirror.
Bernie Ecclestone’s Glorious Tribute to Max Verstappen: A Formula 1 Masterpiece!
Well, well, well! What do we have here? A 94-year-old former Formula 1 czar, Bernie Ecclestone, dusting off his phone to congratulate none other than Max Verstappen—a guy who apparently defies both gravity and common sense! During last Sunday’s rainy escapade in Brazil, Verstappen didn’t just win the race; he pulled off a stunt worthy of a magician in Las Vegas! Starting in seventeenth place, Max decided that finishing first was the only option, and off he went—like a kid who just found out where the cookie jar is hidden!
Now, let’s talk about Bernie. This is a man who has seen it all—from Ayrton Senna, whose driving skills could make Superman reconsider his career choices, to Michael Schumacher, whose dominance on track was matched only by his ability to make everyone else look like amateur go-kart drivers. Yet, there he was, in the stands, applauding Verstappen like a proud grandparent at a school play. Must have been a sight, eh? Bernie probably thought to himself, “If this kid can do that in the rain, I might as well call Horner and see if he can share some of that competence with my golf game!”
But let’s not get sidetracked by visions of Bernie shanking a drive on the golf course; let’s focus on the sheer audacity of Verstappen’s race! Overtaking cars in the opening phase like a kid in a candy store, this Dutch dynamo seemed to have more grip on the wet tarmac than a toddler on a slippery floor. Just when you think the race can’t get any more exciting, Verstappen was like, “Hold my drink, I’ll show you a masterclass!” And boy, did he deliver!
And to add a cherry on top of this Formula 1 sundae, not only did he win, but he also delivered what can only be described as a body blow to title rival Lando Norris. Poor Lando was probably left wondering if he should switch to a different sport—maybe curling, where the only thing that gets swept away is some dust and not your championship hopes! So, while Verstappen celebrated, Lando was left thinking he’d need a miracle and a Golden Compass to navigate his way back into the title race!
According to Horner, the Red Bull team boss, after the race, Bernie called him up and said, “I’ve seen all the greats, and this is one of the best I’ve ever seen.” To have Ecclestone, who has seen the likes of legends, sing songs of praise for a young gun like Verstappen? Well, that, dear friends, is nothing short of a seal of approval that makes the Oscars look like a little school award ceremony. You can almost hear the future F1 documentaries in the making: “And then came Verstappen – the rainmaker!”
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where every lap can feel like a lifetime and every overtaking maneuver a Herculean task, Verstappen’s performance was not just a race win, it was a moment—a moment that might just go down in history as one of those “remember where you were when…” stories that F1 fans will tell their grandchildren. So, to Bernie, to Max, and to this brilliant sport that keeps us on the edge of our seats—cheers! May the races be thrilling, the rain be just wet enough, and the Verstappens of the world continue to leave us all gasping for air!
Bernie Ecclestone, now 94 and a legendary figure in the world of Formula 1, has had the unique privilege of witnessing some of the greatest drivers to ever grace the sport. However, it was last Sunday in Brazil that he found himself utterly astounded by the extraordinary performance of Max Verstappen, who executed an astonishing comeback from seventeenth position to clinch victory in the downpour. Ecclestone, visibly impressed, promptly reached for his phone to convey his admiration directly to Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing.
Having presided over the pinnacle of motorsport for over four decades, Ecclestone has experienced firsthand the talents of iconic drivers, including the Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna, the German powerhouse Michael Schumacher, the esteemed Jackie Stewart, and the modern-day great Lewis Hamilton. Yet, the spectacle at Interlagos when Verstappen showcased his driving mastery amidst challenging conditions left an indelible mark on him. As the Dutch driver crossed the finish line, emerging victorious from such a lowly starting grid, Ecclestone felt compelled to acknowledge this remarkable achievement with a call to Horner.
Verstappen’s race began with impressive overtakes that quickly propelled him into the top ten. His relentless pursuit of success continued as he deftly navigated the wet track, ultimately securing a spectacular win. This performance not only signified an unforgettable race but also dealt a significant blow to his title contender, Lando Norris. Thanks to Verstappen’s incredible skill, Norris’s hopes of capturing the championship are now all but extinguished. Witnessing such an extraordinary display, Ecclestone took it upon himself to call Horner, expressing his admiration for the young driver. “Bernie called me after the race and said, ‘I’ve seen all the greats, and this is one of the best I’ve ever seen,'” Horner recounted, as reported by the British newspaper The Mirror.
**Interview with Christian Horner: Reflections on Max Verstappen’s Historic Victory**
*Interviewer:* Christian, thank you for joining us today. Last Sunday, Max Verstappen delivered an unbelievable performance in Brazil, coming from seventeenth to first. What’s your immediate reaction as the team principal?
*Christian Horner:* It was nothing short of remarkable. Max’s drive in those conditions was a masterclass. To come from that far back, especially in the rain, showed just how talented he is. Every overtaking maneuver he pulled off was executed flawlessly.
*Interviewer:* Bernie Ecclestone, a man who has seen all the legends of motorsport, even called you to share his admiration. What did he say?
*Christian Horner:* He was genuinely impressed. Bernie told me, “I’ve seen all the greats, and this is one of the best I’ve ever seen.” That’s high praise coming from someone who’s witnessed the likes of Senna and Schumacher. It really underscores just how special that performance was.
*Interviewer:* Verstappen’s victory seems to have dealt a significant blow to Lando Norris’ title hopes. How do you think this impacts the championship race moving forward?
*Christian Horner:* It certainly makes things more challenging for Lando. Max’s performance not only secured the victory but also highlighted the gap between his pace and the rest of the field. It’s a tough pill to swallow for any title competitor, but that’s the nature of racing—sometimes it’s brutal.
*Interviewer:* Verstappen’s race was not just a win; it was a statement. He was aggressive but also controlled in those challenging conditions. What does this say about his growth as a driver?
*Christian Horner:* Max has matured significantly. He combines raw talent with strategic thinking now. He’s learned how to judge risks better and knows when to push hard and when to be patient. This race demonstrated that he’s not just a great driver; he’s also becoming a great strategist on the track.
*Interviewer:* Lastly, what does it mean for Red Bull Racing to have a driver like Verstappen leading the charge in such spectacular fashion?
*Christian Horner:* It’s incredibly gratifying. We’ve worked hard as a team to develop the car, and to have a driver who can extract every ounce of performance, as Max does, is invaluable. This collaboration is what we’ve aimed for, and such performances only reinforce our belief in him and our vision for the team.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Christian. It’s thrilling to see such excitement in Formula 1, especially when it comes from a talent like Max Verstappen.
*Christian Horner:* Thank you for having me! We’re excited for what’s next on the calendar.
