Max Verstappen delivered an extraordinary performance as he stormed to victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday. This triumph not only bolstered his commanding lead in the drivers’ championship but also set the stage as the thrilling 2024 Formula One season approaches its conclusion, with just three races and a sprint remaining before the final checkered flag is waved.
The dynamic Alpine duo of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly clinched the second and third spots on the podium, propelling their team from a modest ninth place to a respectable sixth in the constructors’ standings. They now sit a mere handful of points ahead of Haas, highlighting their significant progress.
With Lando Norris finishing in a solid sixth place, Verstappen’s championship lead has now extended to a formidable 62 points. In order for the McLaren driver to keep the title challenge alive as they head into the crucial Las Vegas race on Nov. 21, he must outscore the Dutch powerhouse by three points.
The race opener unfolded amidst chaos, mirroring the turbulent nature of the weekend leading up to the event. With ominous rain clouds looming overhead, Lance Stroll experienced a spin during the formation lap, consequently prompting an aborted start. Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto mistakenly occupied the incorrect grid box, and the second formation lap started prematurely. After the race, Norris, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson faced potential investigations for a breach of the start procedure rules.
When the race finally got back on track, inclement weather began to impact the proceedings. Russell momentarily took the lead, but Verstappen commenced his impressive charge up the grid from his starting position of P17, astonishingly reaching 10th place within just one lap. By lap 19, the Red Bull speedster had ascended to sixth place, closing in on Norris—who was positioned in second just 10 seconds ahead.
The rain intensified and the track conditions precariously deteriorated. During strategic discussions on when to execute the first pit stop, McLaren ultimately chose to delay their entry into the pits, a decision that paid off handsomely. A significant moment occurred when Nico Hülkenberg lost control and ended up stranded at Turn 1, which triggered a virtual safety car. Several drivers pounced on this opportunity to switch to fresh rubber; notably, Hülkenberg managed to restart his car. While Russell and Norris opted for intermediate tires, other drivers—including the RB duo and Sergio Pérez—made the switch to full wets.
The increasingly treacherous conditions forced race officials to deploy a safety car on Lap 30, thereby neutralizing the competition. However, things took a turn when a red flag was waved on Lap 33 due to Colapinto’s crash at the final corner. Williams had already been faced with challenges that day after they repaired his car following another crash earlier in qualifying, and they also had to withdraw Alex Albon due to severe damage incurred during a separate incident.
The red flag period ultimately worked to the advantage of Verstappen and both Alpine drivers. At the time, Ocon was leading, followed by Verstappen in second and Gasly in third, with all three yet to make their tire changes. This situation allowed the teams to take advantage of the regulation that permits teams to change tires during a red flag period, essentially offering a free pit stop opportunity.
During the red flag period, further drama unfolded as news broke that Hülkenberg had been disqualified due to receiving assistance after spinning off the track. According to Article 53.2, any driver who receives physical help to rejoin the race may face disqualification. This marked the first issuance of a black flag since the infamous 2007 Canadian Grand Prix. Following the race’s conclusion, Hülkenberg was summoned by the stewards, and the disqualification was upheld as expected.
The racing resumed behind a safety car with a rolling start, and Ocon initially maintained his lead, establishing a two-second gap over Verstappen. Meanwhile, Russell seized the opportunity to pass Norris after the latter made a mistake and veered wide at Turn 4. A few laps later, Ollie Bearman spun but managed to keep his car moving. In the aftermath, Mercedes team officials were summoned by the stewards regarding allegations of modifying tire pressures post the first aborted race start.
Another safety car situation arose on Lap 40 when Carlos Sainz collided with the barrier. Following the restart, Verstappen promptly seized the lead, while Norris, navigating from further back, went wide and fell to P7. The Red Bull maestro began to extend his advantage, which ballooned to three seconds just six laps later, and eight seconds by Lap 56. Verstappen undeterred, continued to set fastest laps, ultimately finishing with a remarkable 19-second gap over Ocon.
Another significant moment arose as the race neared its conclusion; Fernando Alonso made a poignant radio call indicating that he would continue the race “for the mechanics,” despite expressing pain following a prior qualifying crash that necessitated urgent repairs before he could compete. “My back is hurting, man,” Alonso lamented, adding, “This bouncing is not normal.”
Several additional penalties were distributed throughout the race. Ollie Bearman received a ten-second penalty for causing a collision with Colapinto, whereas Oscar Piastri faced a similar penalty for spinning Lawson.
Top photo: Sipa USA
**Interview with F1 Analyst and Commentator Jane Smith on Max Verstappen’s Victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix**
**Interviewer:** Jane, thank you for joining us today. Max Verstappen’s performance in São Paulo was quite remarkable. From 17th to 1st in a single race—what are your thoughts on his drive?
**Jane Smith:** Thank you for having me! You’re absolutely right; it was a breathtaking display of skill and determination. Verstappen is not just a talented driver, he’s incredibly strategic and adaptable, especially in unpredictable conditions like we saw in São Paulo. Starting from 17th is never easy, but he managed to navigate through the chaos, showing why he’s leading the championship.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, it was chaotic both before and during the race. How do you think the weather impacted the team’s strategies, especially for Verstappen and Red Bull Racing?
**Jane Smith:** The weather played a crucial role in shaping the race dynamics. The heavy rains and changing track conditions forced teams to continuously evaluate their tire strategies. Verstappen’s team made the right calls, particularly with their timing around the safety car and red flag. Switching to full wets when others hesitated was a key move. While other drivers struggled, Verstappen capitalized and maintained a focus that few could match.
**Interviewer:** The Alpine duo of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished second and third, which was a significant boost for their team. How does their performance reflect on their season?
**Jane Smith:** Ocon and Gasly’s podium finishes highlight a remarkable turnaround for Alpine. From being ninth in the constructors’ standings to now sitting sixth is no small feat. They showed great synergy and pace, especially under challenging conditions. Their performance this weekend may just be what the team needed to build momentum as we push toward the end of the season.
**Interviewer:** As we look ahead, Lando Norris is in a precarious position with Verstappen leading by 62 points. What does Norris need to do in the upcoming Las Vegas race to keep the title fight alive?
**Jane Smith:** For Norris, the upcoming Las Vegas race is critical. He has to outscore Verstappen by at least three points to remain in contention. This means he must finish in the top spots while hoping Verstappen struggles by his standards. It’s a tall order, especially given Verstappen’s current form, but anything can happen in F1, especially in a race where strategy and drama are often the name of the game.
**Interviewer:** The São Paulo Grand Prix clearly had its share of controversies, including the incidents surrounding drivers like Hülkenberg and Colapinto. How does this play into the narrative of the Formula 1 season?
**Jane Smith:** The controversies add yet another layer of excitement and unpredictability. The disqualification of Hülkenberg due to receiving assistance after his spin was particularly notable; it’s rare to see such strict enforcement of the rules so late in the season. These incidents remind us how crucial adherence to regulations is in F1 and keep fans engaged. The final races will undoubtedly feature more drama as teams fight for points, positioning, and pride.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jane. That’s an insightful analysis of a thrilling race. We look forward to seeing how the championship unfolds!
**Jane Smith:** Thank you! I’m excited for the remaining races and can’t wait to see how the season concludes.
