Max Verstappen came from 17th on the grid to win a wet Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of the Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
The Red Bull driver took his first win since June to strengthen his lead in the championship over Lando Norris, who finished sixth.Ocon finished second as team mate Gasly held off George Russell to make it a double podium for Alpine.
After the start of the race was brought forward by an hour and a half, the track was still damp but it was not raining as drivers completed the formation lap and lined up on the grid. Having suffered damage in qualifying that was too severe to be fixed for the start of the race, Alexander Albon was unable to take the start, leaving his seventh place on the grid empty.
As the cars heading out on their formation lap, Lance Stroll spun under braking for Subida do Lago, sliding into the wall and damaging his front wing. He tried to rejoin the track, but got beached in the gravel trap.
The original start was aborted, but pole winner Norris left the grid before receiving an ‘Extra Formation Lap’ signal. Around half of the field left while several others remained. The start was aborted a second time, with Norris placed under investigation for breaching the start procedure.
After a delay, the race finally got underway with Russell jumping ahead of Norris into the lead of the race. Yuki Tsunoda held onto third, with Esteban Ocon in fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc who gained fifth from Liam Lawson.
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Russell led the early laps of the race as he and Norris gradually pulled away from Tsunoda behind. Verstappen surgically sliced his way through the field, climbing up to sixth place behind Leclerc. Verstappen attempted to pass the Ferrari, but Leclerc held firm until he became the first to pit at the end of lap 24, fitting a second set of intermediates.
The rain picked up in intensity until Nico Hulkenberg lost control of his Haas into the first corner, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Both Russell and Norris pitted for another set of intermediates, while Ocon and Verstappen – who had both passed Tsunoda – stayed out.
The rain increased and the Safety Car was deployed with visibility rapidly worsening. But behind the Safety Car, Franco Colapinto lost control of his Williams up the hill and crashed heavily, resulting in the race being red-flagged. The field lined up in the pits with Ocon leading, Verstappen second and Pierre Gasly third ahead of Norris, who had passed Russell just before the Safety Car.
After a delay, Ocon led the field away under Safety Car for the restart. The Alpine driver held the lead as the race resumed, not allowing Verstappen to challenge him. Behind, Norris slid off the track at Subida do Lago, losing fourth place to Russell as a result.
The Safety Car was deployed again when Carlos Sainz Jnr spun into the barriers at Laranja. This time, at the restart, Verstappen pressured Ocon and managed to slip through into the lead at the first corner. Behind, Norris ran wide at the first corner, losing multiple positions as he fell to seventh. However, a mistake from Piastri at Juncao handed the place back to his team mate.
Out in front for the first time, Verstappen pulled away from Ocon. Behind, Gasly came under pressure from fourth placed Russell.
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Verstappen crossed the line at the end of the 69th lap to claim his first victory for 11 rounds, with well over 15 seconds to Ocon who secured Alpine’s first podium of the season in second. Gasly managed to hold off Russell’s advances late to secure a double podium for Alpine.
Russell had to settle for fourth ahead of Norris and Yuki Tsunoda, who gained seventh after a ten second penalty for Piastri. Liam Lawson finished eighth, with Hamilton taking the final point in tenth.
Verstappen’s win means his lead over Norris now stands at 62 points with three rounds remaining.
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2024 Brazilian Grand Prix
- “I didn’t really want to come back” – Hamilton explains cryptic Brazil radio message
- Ocon’s role in Gasly’s Q2 exit was almost another ‘flare-up’ at Alpine – Oakes
- Interlagos must improve “very bad” new track surface for 2025, say F1 drivers
- “That’s how we silence them”: Verstappen’s stunning Brazil win from start to finish
- Verstappen now has as many wins as F1’s first six world champions combined
Patrick (@paeschli)
3rd November 2024, 18:06
Career-defining win for Max. Best race of his career.
Doh
3rd November 2024, 18:18
Of course credit where it’s due he drove fantastic but he got lucky, he couldn’t pass the cars ahead untill the safety car and subsequent red flag gave him the positions. I feel a better race was in store which the safety car call robbed us from.
A great first half from him, then he got lucky.
J3d89
3rd November 2024, 18:20
Dude grab a tissue at take a seat… Too much crying copy pasting the same comment
Dex
4th November 2024, 1:37
He got lucky to overtake everyone in front of him and build a huge gap, avoid making any mistakes (one of the very few drivers, if not the only one to do so) and win the race driving the third or forth best car on the grid? Go and be so lucky yourself, since it’s that easy and random… The guy’s the luckiest person on Earth, apparently, being lucky so many times in his career.
anuj
4th November 2024, 4:41
Fortune favors the brave
MacLeod (@macleod)
4th November 2024, 7:32
The only ‘lucky’ was the red flag but they were expecting that so if you can call it luck…
Also Max was the one on new inters on the start that explain why he could hold it longer then Charles. So when Charles pitted Max overtook Gasly and when the top 2 pitted in the VSC he stayed on track and more important kept it on track with worn tyres which Lando and George didn’t want take the gamble.
Davethechicken
3rd November 2024, 18:27
Agree Patrick.
Very fine drive by Max. Kept cool when all around him lost their heads.
They bet on the red flag during the SC, as you mentioned in live commentary and won. May have been different without that fortune on old inters.
Equally Lando showed why he isn’t WDC material.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
3rd November 2024, 19:30
Yes, the restart kind of summed it up – Max making a precision move inside Ocon, while Lando went slithering off on the outside.
DaveW (@dmw)
3rd November 2024, 18:35
Agree. As much ill will as he earned in Mexico and at other times over the years, he wrote a brilliant chapter to his history today. I would say this was comparable to Hamiltons 2008 Silverstone drive.
Pinak Ghosh (@pinakghosh)
3rd November 2024, 18:39
I think that the career defining race would still be the first win in Red Bull on the first outing at the age of 18. But this one will definitely be one of his best drives.
Tristan
3rd November 2024, 22:57
In a way yeah, the way he won that race truly has defined his career.
Ajaxn
3rd November 2024, 18:52
I would expect nothing less of Verstappen starting with a brand new engine.
The car with the better acceleration made hay on the straights.
Once again Mercedes managed to shoot themselves in the foot. After his Q1 exit, Hamilton only improved when they used the Red flag to adjust his car. By then, Verstappen was well ahead with little in the way of competition to get in his way.
DaveW (@dmw)
3rd November 2024, 20:10
The same happened in Mexico with Hamilton he and the team seem totally lost now on setting up the car. The car seemed horrible and was visibly rattling along the ground into descido do lago.
GechiChan (@gechichan)
4th November 2024, 5:54
haha, we’re notching the win due to better acceleration now? in a downpour? there is no difference in acceleration when you can NOT put all the power down to the tarmac.
MacLeod (@macleod)
4th November 2024, 7:33
Not so new there was a Mexican GP on it but power in the rain isn’t important …
Osnola
4th November 2024, 11:29
The fact the worst engine on the grid filled the podium showed that the engine had little effect on the result.
Ray West (@raynaud2211)
4th November 2024, 18:34
Sure, that why Alpine was at the podium to because of their strong engine. In rain power output is less critical, that’s why rain shows the real drivers that have skills.
pSynrg (@psynrg)
3rd November 2024, 21:01
Couldn’t agree more. WDC class in more ways than one.
Paul A (@paul-a)
3rd November 2024, 22:34
Maybe more career “confirming” than “defining.” Over the last 74 years I have either been at, or followed, every F1 race; I’ve seen drivers (and teams) make mistakes and have marvelous successes. Today’s race from Mr Verstappen’s perspective was totally exceptional — from more or less last to a convincing win under conditions where driving skill was paramount.
Forget the “show”, the lawyers, the commercial rights, the committees, TV, social media — he gave a demonstration of driving “one man, one car” that stands out in F1 history.
Illusive (@illusive)
3rd November 2024, 18:06
Max you are an absolute legend, drives like this bring tears to my eyes. This has to be his best win yet.
Nikos (@exeviolthor)
3rd November 2024, 18:07
Verstappen silenced everyone today.
Doh
3rd November 2024, 18:21
He got lucky, can’t take away from him his ability that first half of the race but he got given the rest of the positions. I felt a better race in store without that safety car which wasn’t necessary. I think he would have got by eventually maybe on out stops then it would have been a great battle for the lead against lando and Russel. Against credit where it’s due but he got pretty lucky.
HerbertSteward (@madlewis)
3rd November 2024, 18:35
Verstappen had his bad luck with the red flag in qualifying today…FIA are a bunch of inconsistent dinosaurs.
Nikos (@exeviolthor)
3rd November 2024, 18:40
One can equally say that he was unlucky to have to pass all these cars in the first place.
He was by far the fastest driver today. Norris showed that he is not ready yet.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 1:32
Oh, and we also saw how unnecessary it was for piastri to give up a sprint win for 1 point! And let me remind everyone there were people here saying mclaren should’ve let norris win hungary, as if it’d make a difference now, piastri was the more deserving driver on those 2 occasions.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 1:33
There were also people saying piastri should’ve let norris through for 3 points at monza, all insignificant amounts.
Jogo
3rd November 2024, 18:45
Everyone who? Drive to survive puppies? People really have a short memory, just weathervaning from race to race, year to year. What is so fantastic-boombastic about Verstappen’s drive today after Brazil 2016? That was actually more impressive.
SteveP
3rd November 2024, 19:12
Well, speaking as a non-Max fan:
He drove well in the race today, he also got lucky with the red flag in the same fashion that Lando got unlucky.
Lando? Find me something he did right.
Strategically, RBR guessed right with their gamble to leave Max out and hope for a red flag or similar.
Strategically, McLaren made a total pig’s ear of the day. If they could do it wrong, they did.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 1:37
Something norris did right? Qualifying, not fully but was very strong in q3.
SteveP
5th November 2024, 18:39
I will give you that one.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 19:05
Red Bull silenced everyone – the WCC and WDC championships were up for grabs but the FIA can’t really say anything now, can they? They’re equally complicit for allowing 2023 and 2022 and 2021 and now they have to allow 2024 and probably 2025.
That’s what happens when you become someone’s asset.
F1statsfan (@f1statsfan)
3rd November 2024, 19:24
Oh no – Max won again – most be so painful for the chairman of the we hate Max fanclub.
Nikos (@exeviolthor)
3rd November 2024, 19:35
Sorry, but I do not understand what you mean.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 20:13
Red Bull won nearly every race over the past season and a half. One day they wake up and can’t win and now one of the cars suddenly turns as if the other cars are on different tyres in the wetter part of the track. Give us a break.
Red Bull is not struggling for pace – anytime they want they can clearly leave everyone 1 minute behind.
Clearly Red Bull could have scored 18-20 wins this season but are not allowed to. And this must have been a violation or an exception clause.
Ruben
3rd November 2024, 20:24
So. Many. Questions after this comment!
Have you convinced other people of this theory?
If so, with what evidence?
If you’re so convinced as you sound, why are you still actively watching this?
By when do you think everyone else will be convinced about what you already know/see/have known for years?
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:25
Read the comment for Woody and apply the same logic. It’s a very simple equation. I’m not sure why you’re struggling with it so much.
PeteB (@peteb)
3rd November 2024, 21:32
Having a bad day, huh?
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:50
Actually, having a great day – I watched MotoGP and skipped F1 jumping through all the corners to see Verstappen’s car as he was overtaking. I don’t like cheaters – half the people are okay with them to the point of laying down their own lives and their children’s lives for them. I was just wired the right way out of the factory.
Bojangles
4th November 2024, 8:01
it’s hard to admit to greatness. Complete cognitive dissonance…
Osnola
4th November 2024, 11:34
At least you show us why this rant posting about one of the greatest drives ever originated.
Next time try to look at the race before your prejudice explodes in strange ranting.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 16:32
@bojangles complete cognitive dissonance or sheer genius
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 16:41
@osnola I watched the overtakes and Max’s driving 12 times – I think that’s enough. My gut feeling was on the first time I saw the car because I immediately knew something was off. Norris came out and said that Verstappen would have won no matter what. The drivers could all see it. That’s why Verstappen raced alone.
Norris said that Verstappen could have lapped him. I was right… as always.
Check mate emphatically on 50 chessboards, as expected :-)
w0o0dy (@w0o0dy)
3rd November 2024, 20:33
People should just ignore someone like you. Blind hate, zero objectivism.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:23
@w0o0dy you’re welcome to ignore it and to play Call of Formula 2024 which is what you seem to like. There’s nothing hateful in the comment – in fact, if you look at the car it cleared the other cars by 20 seconds in 20 or so laps and it wasn’t even trying. It could have cleared them by 40. It also could have won starting with 1-2 minute deficit to P1.
Now, what’s objective? That Max can go on the wets with the same tyres and drive 2 minutes faster with the same car that hasn’t won a race over the past 10 races or that he’s driving the old rocket? Just saying. Surely, you are able to determine if 1 is greater than 10 but usually you would probably fail if the numbers were not so obvious and you had to calculate them, right?
For me, that’s not the same car. I saw it in a couple of corners and it reminded me of the old car from last season and the start of this season. What is it about it? It’s the fact that it can clear other cars as if they are Formula 2 cars.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
4th November 2024, 0:11
This is a very odd comment. You are basically saying the whole sport is engaged in a conspiracy! On behalf of Red Bull. Seems a little far fetched to say the least.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 0:53
Well, the whole sport was in a conspiracy with Ferrari and the Ferraris were struggling and lo and behold, at one gran prix Leclerc finds pace all of a sudden and wins it.
The sport was also in a conspiracy in 2021 to anyone from any other sport watching F1 and Max’s driving. So conspiracies are not uncommon in F1 – they are the norm.
And let’s not talk about the old conspiracies that we know about and were punished. I can assure you we know maybe 1 out of 5, at best.
Fair racing is the exception to the rule in this sport as we’re reminded in almost every race with Max.
We know Red Bull hit a wall after Spain – Perez hit it sooner. And we’ve been told by the FIA somewhat delayed that things are not legal and so on and so forth. Obviously, they can’t throw the sport into disrepute so top teams strike deals and there’s no way the FIA might have been able to prove the extent of the gains that Red Bull may have gotten but clearly the car went from overtaking McLarens in reverse to having to push them off track.
Lo and behold, today that was miraculously reversed when Max was in P17 and needed to recover points. And Max wasn’t even struggling as we saw. Everyone else was but their cars are terrible compared to Max’s.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 0:54
Does it still sound odd or does the sport and what we witnessed today sound more odd?
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 13:16
@Exeviolthor There’s no doubt that Verstappen is quick in the rain – it’s probably what Red Bull banked on when they made the switch. It guaranteed the results and made sure that he could fight for P1.
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 7:53
That’s what I thought but apparently the fanatic nay sayers have found ways to diminish this achievement.
Meanwhile, the media conveniently won’t be hard on Norris nor the FIA for waiving the start infringement.
For me personally this weekend has made a lot of things very clear. FIA is meddling with and ridging the championship. They clearly favour the runner up and are in the business of slowing down the leader. British media are toddlers at best. Max nay sayers will always be nay sayers rather than enjoy some excellent racing being displayed.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
4th November 2024, 17:21
@exeviolthor Not the ones who know the regulations and that this race is invalid because it was run outside the time in which the race was allowed to run. It came across as the FIA caring more about making Max a 4-time champion through a lie, than him surviving to potentially receive the trophy through an honest reckoning of valid results.
Nikos (@exeviolthor)
5th November 2024, 3:34
What do you mean by “it was run outside the time in which the race was allowed to run”?
Sonny Crockett (@sonnycrockett)
3rd November 2024, 18:08
I’m not keen on the guy but once again he’s proven that he’s the best driver on the grid. Norris needs to take a real step in 2025 to deserve the Championship.
Well done Max.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
3rd November 2024, 18:38
Norris isn’t aa WDC material and you don’t become one overnight. He sure can win the championship in a dominant car, though even with a faster car he couldn’t make the difference and crumbled under pressure. He is overhyped by some biased media.
Riccard
3rd November 2024, 18:44
Norris is clearly ‘good enough’ to win a WDC… in that it’s taking a generational talent to deny him.
He has a solid claim to be joint-second-best driver this year, and there are many years where that’s been enough to take the championship.
Greg
3rd November 2024, 20:15
Lando’s worst enemy is inside his own mind.
PeteB (@peteb)
3rd November 2024, 21:35
He can drive a car very fast but he’s not got the mentality to be a Champion in a closely fought season.
Jogo
3rd November 2024, 19:04
What it takes to be a WDC material? It’s just a worn-out cliché. Hill, Villeneuve and Hakkinen won titles. Yet no one really outshined Schumacher in what we call Schumacher’s era. Now we have Verstappen’s era and “others”, question is who Verstappen will define as his hardest and most respected personal rival when all these guys will retire. So still Norris has a good chances to be among them.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
3rd November 2024, 19:45
All the drivers you’ve mentioned in their prime in this year’s Mclaren would have given Verstappen a run for his money. Villeneuve didn’t hesitate a second to make a move on Michael even though he predicted that he is capable of taking him out of the race just to win the WDC. The drivers you’ve mentioned have guts, you can’t say the same thing regarding Lando.
Jogo
3rd November 2024, 20:55
“Villeneuve didn’t hesitate a second to make a move on Michael”
Nothing special about that move really, he needed that overtake, he was faster, and so he tried, that’s simple. Don’t know what guts you’re talking about like Norris didn’t attack Verstappen in Austin and Mexico even predicting that “guy is dangerous”? Come on, that’s another example of cliche talking.
The “this year’s Mclaren” narrative is artificially overhyped. Some say McLaren also had the fastest car in 2012 but obviously not the best when it was crucial.
An Sionnach
4th November 2024, 15:02
Hill and Villeneuve made far more and significant errors than Lando. They had a killer car for whole seasons and still struggled. Hakkinen was far more worthy. I rate him even though he made mistakes, too. He was decisive at critical times in a way Norris hasn’t been. Just had to get on with it and overtake “The Michael”, even if that meant using a back marker to do it!
Lando can win a championship next year and will be champion if McLaren continues to dominate. I think Piastri is more of an instinctive racer and he’s smarter, but… you can’t fix slow.
I don’t know what will happen if Ferrari has the stronger car. Lewis should be faster in the races, but Leclerc has improved a lot this year. A points scrap among this four would help Max, but I don’t think he can win unless he gets a better car.
SteveP
5th November 2024, 18:53
@An Sionnach
I had a video tape of that overtake – I wore it out. I’ve seen it on TV documentaries etc.
I still shake my head when I see it. So did “The Michael” I’m sure.
It should also be noted that MS was doing his best to hide said back marker, presumably hoping for a collision, so to find Mika appearing in front of him instead of smoking ruin behind…
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 20:14
Sorry buddy, I don’t buy it. He’s had much more grip on the wet part. It’d be akin to a motorcycle taking a corner at +50 kilometers per hour.
Jojo
3rd November 2024, 23:55
Even in F3 spec series in 2014, Verstappen was 2 seconds a lap faster than the other formula 3 drivers in the rain at the Norisring. The other drivers were sliding around and crashing out and he looked like he was on a different track. It was what got him noticed by the formula 1 teams. We also saw a similarly good drive from Verstappen in the rain in Brazil 2016.
He seems to have more confidence in the changing conditions where others are still cautious and testing the grip levels.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 0:58
That was F3 – this is F1 and we have several greats driving this season and several WDC worthy drivers.
Plus, he was not supposed to have the fastest car (post Spain 2024) but he clearly did today.
Bojangles
4th November 2024, 8:18
Oh dear, oh dear…
Osnola
4th November 2024, 11:38
I just quote your earlier statement to show yourcdelusional. Seek help: i mean it!
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 17:05
Check out Norris’ comment. I don’t think you’re in any position to offer medical advice when you clearly cannot understand the most obvious things about F1.
Matheus Ramos (@jedimaster9)
3rd November 2024, 18:08
Always deliver…
Paul (@frankjaeger)
3rd November 2024, 18:08
Max’s pace was brilliant. He’s great in the rain and clear track made him unbeatable in the 2nd half. That red flag tyre change rule needs to be changed, categorically unfair to the pitted cars. Lando had poor pace, plus an awful start again both at the standing start and rolling start. That looks like the end of the WDC hunt for Lando
bosco moroz
4th November 2024, 1:51
Is it really unfair? The top 3 made a strategy call and it worked out. Analytics were in favor of a potential red flag. If the rules were no tire changes on red flags, they would have pitted as their strategy wouldn’t have existed. A couple of drivers were screaming, why did we pit, so don’t say it was luck…a gamble yes; but every decision has an element of risk.
Changing tires under a red flag has been the norm in most forms of racing for as long as I can remember. So nothing to talk about in reality.
Max had a magnificent start, so perfectly controlled in the Senna esses, setting up the sublime move around the outside of turn 3. Just a beautiful piece of driving. Boom 7 places; that was not luck, just a plan executed to perfection. The passes into turn 1 over and over and over, just so controlled. Max is just really good in the wet and today the pressure was squarely on his shoulders not to make any mistakes coming through the field.
Max’s wet drives are legendary. 2016 was his master class until today. I fully agree with Karum, no one was keeping Max behind today, red flag or not. Rain is the great equalizer, that’s why drivers love the rain. Kudo’s to Alpine, a truly flawless wet drive by both Pierre and Estebon today.
Moi
4th November 2024, 10:57
How is it unfair since it applies to everyone?
Those cars that pitted under the VSC chose to take the certainty of new rubber now, at reduced time cost, while those that stayed out chose to take the chance of new rubber later at no time cost, while taking the risk of having to either get no new rubber or to take it at full time cost.
The same risk/reward tradeoff applied to everyone, making the wrong choice in hindsight is not unfair.
Ideals (@ideals)
3rd November 2024, 18:09
Commanding drive from the back of the grid. What a statement and what a great race all around. Interlagos delivered again.
roadrunner (@roadrunner)
3rd November 2024, 18:11
Amazing performance! That’s the Max Verstappen I want to see. A class of his own today.
rprp
3rd November 2024, 18:52
Zak Brown: Drive like the champion you are.
Max: Hold my Heineken.
roadrunner (@roadrunner)
3rd November 2024, 19:09
Be careful what you wish for
Super Nashwan (@squeakywheel)
3rd November 2024, 18:12
I can’t stand Verstappen. He seems like a thug in the way he speaks and the way he drives. But today he showed why he is a world champion, wiping the floor with everyone. Basically unplayable.
Let’s have more of this Max please.
Pinak Ghosh (@pinakghosh)
3rd November 2024, 18:12
Simply incredible. Verstappen found another gear in the race and with that stamped the authority on the championship.
Sonny Crockett (@sonnycrockett)
3rd November 2024, 18:12
Obvs, Liberty are probably plotting to move away from Interlagos at some future point and instead race around a car park in San Diego/Dubai/[insert name of glamorous venue that’s prepared to pay a hefty fee]
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
3rd November 2024, 18:15
Did we hear that Chicago are interested?
If another USA city wants it then that’s where it will go.
I luv chicken
3rd November 2024, 22:16
@Sonny Crockett. Liberty may be planning a move, but isn’t Bernie the promoter of this race? If so, until Bernie has the devil bite his ass, nothing will change.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
4th November 2024, 0:15
If F1 ever leaves this place, I’m leaving with it. Always delivers a great race. Probably my favourite circuit.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 1:53
Indeed, and often delivers a wet race (relatively at least)! Was so fun when they delayed quali to the day after to avoid rain and they still got rain!
bosco moroz
4th November 2024, 1:57
Absolutely. For 20 years, every new F1 game, 1st track is Monaco to see if computer will run game properly. Then to Brazil, my favorite F1 track to drive, just pure joy that rewards pushing to the limit. Don’t ask wife, she’ll say every track is my favorite, depending which one I’m currently driving…
MarkWebber (@markwebber)
3rd November 2024, 18:13
I forgive Max’s aggressiveness because he is the most talented driver I’ve ever witnessed
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
3rd November 2024, 18:13
Well deserved win by Max.
Quality driving from a genuine Champion.
Jere (@jerejj)
3rd November 2024, 18:13
What a race, especially by Alpine, although the championship is effectively over.
Steve (@duuxdeluxe)
3rd November 2024, 18:15
Interesting to see certain profiles not here all of a sudden. Not the best evening for you eh @Tom ?
t1redmonkey (@t1redmonkey)
3rd November 2024, 18:22
Good race, again showing that races in the rain are usually the most exciting in F1 (when race control don’t get too over-cautious that is).
James Bond (@jamesbond)
4th November 2024, 1:28
Yes indeed and let’s get rid of that monster called DRS.
Grapmg
4th November 2024, 18:32
+1
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:00
Yes, and although I got annoyed by the SC when we briefly got conditions where full wets were better and 5 drivers had them, realistically speaking, not everyone would’ve boxed for wets, and one of the drivers on inters would’ve crashed and brought out a red flag, which would’ve been worse than a SC, then ofc in this particular case we still got the red since colapinto crashed before catching up to the SC.
KaIIe (@kaiie)
3rd November 2024, 18:24
One of the drivers that defines a champion and a championship. Brilliant.
Hakk the Rack
3rd November 2024, 18:27
It’s a dejavu! That’s 1995 again, so Hill(Norris) in a better Williams(McLaren) is humiliated again and again by Schumacher(Verstappen) in a worse Benetton(RB). It’s extremely frustrating to be Norris/Hill95 fan.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:02
True, looks pretty similar!
Edvaldo
3rd November 2024, 18:28
Unfortunately, the awful red flag rule made things far easier for him and prevented us from seeing a clash between the contenders.
And by the end, the 3 guys who got the free pit stop finished on the podium. This rule must go ASAP.
That said, i wonder why Stroll’s ‘brilliance” wasn’t broadcasted. I saw it from some amateurish footage i found only.
Johns
3rd November 2024, 20:05
The rules are the same for everyone. F1 is a team sport, the team includes the strategy guys and gals.
miciek (@micio)
3rd November 2024, 21:10
No, not true.
Rules like this one favor drivers that are behind. They gamble because they have almost nothing to loose. This rule is not fair.
Red flag has nothing to do with tyre changes. If you want to change tyres, you can go in right after the race is restarted.
Osnola
4th November 2024, 12:51
Its one of the strategic options the team can choose. Pit under vsc with less time lost or stay on track. A SC would very likely or a red flag could be expected. All in all a teams/drivers choice.
Rules are the same for everyone ( except championship contenders it seems)
DaveW (@dmw)
3rd November 2024, 20:20
I’m also dying to know how stroll managed to take a car sitting on a wide expanse of tarmac with direct access to the track and put it in a gravel trap. That was astounding.
Edvaldo
3rd November 2024, 20:34
He turned left, tried to cross the gravel trap, and beached it shortly after. A pathetic sight any way you look at it.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:06
If you want to see it go on the watchf1full.com website, you have replays for every session there, they come in very timely fashion too (like 1h after a session is over), I believe he actually touched the wall with the front wing and then trying to restart ended up beaching it, he made other drivers lose a lot of time!
Dr.D
3rd November 2024, 18:28
Even after Lambiase almost begging him to slow down, keeps shaving off his own Fastest lap times.
I sometimes wonder what he is like in a casino.
CarWars (@maxv)
3rd November 2024, 18:38
Building the 15sec vsc gap
Moi
3rd November 2024, 21:40
And building up a buffer in case Herbert decides to give him a penalty for driving through a puddle or something.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:12
Soon there will be penalties for complaining about a penalty and penalty discounts for thanking the stewards for penalising you!
CarWars (@maxv)
4th November 2024, 15:23
Didnt you hear Max got a 3 race ban from the FIA for asking questions about the British Press?
knightameer (@knightameer)
3rd November 2024, 18:32
Max really stepped up to the occasion when it mattered. Unlike some other driver and team who were supposedly going to make a dent in the WDC. Lando bundled each and every restart in this race. Not a single good getaway.
SteveP
3rd November 2024, 19:19
The word you wanted is “bungled” with a “g”
and yes, he did.
DaveW (@dmw)
3rd November 2024, 21:16
To be a little fair I think Russel checked up way early into T1 in the second restart and Lando basically had to worry about hitting him on cold tires and brakes. But I think kind of overrracted.
knightameer (@knightameer)
3rd November 2024, 22:23
Thank you for the correction good sir. English is not my primary language, hence these mistakes pop up
SteveP
5th November 2024, 19:19
In an average week, three or more of my co-workers will use the wrong word, or spell something wrong, and they are all native English.
A past manager used to use “re-numerate” instead of remunerate. :)
Wybe
3rd November 2024, 18:36
17 fastest laps is also pretty amazing. The feeling you must have for the and track conditions.
The stuff of legends
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:16
Yes, was a great race, but to be honest if you look at the times, I believe 1.22 or even 1.21 in the end, the track was getting close to the slicks crossover, I just mean there wasn’t really a lot of water on track in the end, they were lapping faster in the race than they had all quali session.
Wybe
4th November 2024, 10:03
True, my point being: finding that little extra grip every lap as the car gets lighter, without making mistakes, is what makes it special to me.
The consistency is really something else.
In 2016, there wasn’t much at stake, but this year, in my opinion, the championship was decided.
CP
3rd November 2024, 18:37
Wow. A Masterclass. Simply stunning, as someone who has been critical of Verstapen, what I witnessed was out of this world….by a long margin, by far the best driver on the grid and already a top 5 of all time. He will likely go down as the best, the guy is special.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:17
Will be basically impossible to compare him to fangio\ascari\clark, too much has changed, but compared to his contemporaries, I see no question on him being better than hamilton ever was, and as a schumacher fan I believe verstappen is even more consistent than schumacher.
72defender (@72defender)
3rd November 2024, 18:40
Lance Stroll…Driver of the race. Lol!
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:19
Ahah, stroll had the quickest race time, just a few sec, enough to get stuck into the gravel, and done!
FanatikosF1 (@fanatikosf1)
3rd November 2024, 18:40
It hurts my eyes to watch Norris. He will not deliver McLaren a championship unless his car is substantially better than the competition! I’ve said it again, he only has raw pace for qualifying, and that is if he doesn’t bottle it with his numerous silly mistakes. His race craft is subpar comparing him to Max.
Can’t stand Max or RedBull (Horner and Marco) but credit where it’s due. They deserve to be Champions.
I take comfort that McLaren probably will secure the WCC. But Norris’ WDC…what a waste of hope that was the entire season. Never a true challenger for me!
Edvaldo
3rd November 2024, 18:45
Norris seems to overthink stuff. He lost the lead to Russell and was pushing for a pit stop to overtake. Even Russell didn’t want to pit but the team called him in, when that happened McLaren should’ve done the opposite and let him out, but they also went in.
The track was dangerous, the red flag could happen at any time, and it did when both pitted and Max was in 2nd place.
It’s like Red Bull and Max are veterans and Mclaren and Norris some newbies being given lessons by them.
Norris had the pace to win this race, all he needed was to keep the lead at the start, but he failed at that again. No one to blame but himself.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
3rd November 2024, 18:41
Lucked into a win with 2 safety cars, I take it the ‘FIA and there fixing VSC against him’ is all forgotten now :) Hardly a masterclass…
And Lawson jumping out the way but fighting Perez was quite funny to watch…
Tristan
3rd November 2024, 18:53
This comment sounds too much like sour grapes by calling it a lucky win. Verstappen has shown time and time again his superior skills in the wet.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
3rd November 2024, 18:57
So your saying luck had nothing to do with it?… He was looking at 6th before the red flag and 2nd before the final safety car… I would call that lucky :)
Tristan
3rd November 2024, 19:05
And what’s your understanding of how he got there having started 17th, or the gap he built all but ending the race entirely once infront?
Racing will always involve some luck, but the cream rises to the top. Especially in the wet.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
3rd November 2024, 19:21
Two cars didnt start an Lawson jumped out the way, so he overtook 8 slower cars with a fresh engine installed, then lucked his way to a win as he was stuck in 6th? then 2nd without red flag an safety car. Dont get me wrong it was a good drive but not Donnington 93 good, and certainly not as most are saying the ‘greatest drive ever’ lol :)
Robert (@lekkerbek)
3rd November 2024, 19:09
Dude you are embarrassing yourself.
Osnola
4th November 2024, 12:56
Not likely, convincing yourself after such a devastating blow seems a standard reaction.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
4th November 2024, 14:04
@Osnola… A bit like people convincing themselves this was the best drive ever since the invention of the wheel perhaps…
Yet to understand what the devastating blow was though?
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 8:07
I most certainly did not forget the FIA antics this weekend (but the British press conveniently did and will). They blatantly clear showed their hand which is to favour the challenger and be hard on the leader (2021 style all over again). the VSC in Sprint, the Red Flag in quali. Choosing to penalise Max in the Sprint but just keep it a fine to pay for Lando’s start infringement during the race (something no single British media outlet will dig into further somehow..imagina it having been Verstappen…). Rigged to the bone. Lost all credibility.
Max just won despite all of that. So, yes you can focus on that single thing that got his way.. the red flag during the race. Or you can admit that even without that he just cut through the field like they were in a different race category. And admit Lando lost positions twice to off track excursions and his inability to pass Russell.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
4th November 2024, 18:00
How do you explain them ending the VSC when Norris and Russell entered the pits during the race?
David BR (@david-br)
3rd November 2024, 18:41
For me the real Verstappen: take away all the often unnecessary on-track agro and rule pushing and you have the fastest driver capable of slicing through the field unperturbed and without incident, and taking a little luck (and a failure of nerve from Norris/McLaren and Russell/Mercedes) to grab the win and close down any idea of a championship race.
Added to that: one of the few to spot that it was aborted race start. If Norris and others get a penalty, only themselves to blame. Here Verstappen showed he is still at another level. Up there with other great wet race drives from Formula 1 history.
Riccard
3rd November 2024, 18:47
I don’t think you can have one Verstappen without the other.
The guy who pores over the rules and spends his free time sim racing to find more lines and won’t stop competing when the race is already won, is the same guy who won’t stop going for fastest laps and won’t let anyone by without a fight.
His only setting is ‘race’.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 20:16
sorry, I don’t buy those overtakes because he’s clearly on the wetter part and has more grip and more pace. Not with the car he’s been driving over the past 10 gp. With the older car, sure! He wins every wet race by a minute plus and dry ones by more (but obviously he’ll sandbag and switch it off).
David BR (@david-br)
3rd November 2024, 21:30
@freelittlebirds Not quite sure what you mean about the older car. I agree the Red Bull looked good – in part on the basis of Pérez’s drive – but I doubt it was better than the McLaren or maybe even the Ferrari. If Lewis’s drive through the field at Interlagos in 2021 was phenomenal, then you have to recognize this was too, don’t you? Verstappen’s calculation of his breaking, speed and racing lines was way ahead of anyone else’s today. I don’t think it was at the level of some of the other wet weather race performances of the past (it’s been a bit overhyped) but while everyone else was stuck behind the car in front for most of the race, including Norris unable to pass Russell, Verstappen made it work.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:36
@david-br I don’t disagree that Verstappen is one of the best drivers in rain conditions but that car immediately reminded me of the old car where it was just a category ahead. You could see that Verstappen wasn’t even trying – he could just sweep and overtake with enough margin as he used to before.
After the restart, of course, he went ahead but he put 20 seconds on Ocon even though he didn’t need to and easily could have put 40 if he wanted. He was just coasting.
And when did we see this before – we saw it when Verstappen was winning every race and his car was overtaking in the corners just like today with time to spare. Maybe I’ve seen too much racing, maybe my eyes are sharper but that is not the same car that Max has been driving over the past 10 races. The one he’s been non-stop complaining about.
This is the “god rocket” that can overtake a McLaren on a corner as if it’s a Formula 2 car and that’s exactly what he did to Piastri.
David BR (@david-br)
3rd November 2024, 22:00
When Hamilton finished over a minute ahead of second place at Silverstone 2008, was that in a car way ahead of all the others? It’s what great drivers in wet weather conditions do. All down to subtle inputs, superb car balance and anticipation, and some risk-taking to eek out that extra speed when you can. I don’t think it needs any more sinister explanation, even if I happen to agree that the Red Bull seems to have been nerfed at various points this season. Rain is more typically an equalizer, perhaps Red Bull had a marginally better set up for the race, but it’s more likely any differences averaged out as the weather switched from heavy rain to drying.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 23:18
Yes both McLarens were upfront in 2008 like today and without watching the whole race, Hamilton just cleared Kovalainen right?
I just watched Verstappen overtake Hamilton, Gasly, Alonso, Piastri, and Ocon for the 11th time. He’s definitely risking too much there when a mistake could cost him the championship. He knows the car will make it and that’s not the car he’s been racing all this time.
Why risk going so far inside with Gasly especially if your car might not be able to handle it?
The way he cleared Alonso on a straight – very reminiscent of 2022 and 2023.
The pass on Piastri – he’s definitely on the wet side and turning with more grip. Remember this is Hamilton’s car from 2008 and Verstappen clears like a backmarker.
The comment made by the commentator as Verstappen overtook Piastri was “Verstappen in another league right now – wasn’t even a contest”. It’s the same Brundle used in 2022 and 2023 with the rocket ship.
Another comment here was about how far from behind he lunged on Ocon for the lead – this comment by someone on this site. Again, why risk it unless the car is vastly superior and can make that happen?
Where was this driving in Austin and Mexico where he could easily take the inside and overtake without pushing Lando aside? Why all the theatrics and pushes and lunges? If I were Max, I’d just stay on the inside than Lando, take the corner at a much higher speed with my superior feeling and just outrace him.
It’s important to note that the McLarens are the fastest cars this weekend after the Spanish Gran Prix when Verstappen’s win ratio dropped from 80-90% to 0% and stayed there for 10GP so clearing Piastri as if he’s a backmarker is not normal.
Plus, there was no twitch to indicate that Verstappen was on the limit and pushing the car hard. Jorge Martin today tried to overtake Bagnaia in MotoGP and he shifted the weight of the bike too fast on a turn and nearly lost it. Marc lost the bike right behind them.
This looked like last year’s car to me – if Max can do that in the rain while risking a championship, he should certainly be able to replicate it in the dry.
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 8:11
That is very funny. Your observation..that’s not the car.. that is Verstappen when rain neutralises car advantages.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 13:33
@Mayrton I’m not sure I follow – are you saying that Verstappen can go on the wet part of the track at much higher speed and with a significantly more aggressive angle without any possibility of losing the car once with a worse car?
Well if that were true everyone would try to win the race when it’s wet.
Sounds to me like you’re saying that the rest of the F1 grid is incapable of driving in the rain then and can only drive in dry conditions.
Leclerc – horrible, quickly demote the guy to Ferrari’s F3 team.
Russell – don’t bother closing the door on your way out.
Hamilton – seriously? F1?
Sainz – go play pickleball?
Alonso – have you ever raced in a higher sport? you look familiar…
Norris – we have an opening for you at our Uber HQ
Piastri – why F1 mate, have you considered bartending?
Why not just get on the wet parts and win the race then if you’re driving for Kick Sauber. Why finish without a point when you can win it and put 1-2 minutes on Verstappen? Everyone’d risk it.
And here’s my proof – Look at Alpine – they literally jumped from P9 to P6 in the championship.
The biggest jump ever in the WCC at this stage in a championship.
Mayrton
5th November 2024, 7:55
Yes, that is why the world is talking about him right now and moreover, he did this in F3 in the wet and was 2 seconds faster than anyone out there… this got him the seat at RedBull at age 17. I know it must be hard to believe if you have done nothing but talk the man down, but he is a generational talent.. he can actually drive.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 19:03
There it is – the car that can win every race with a minute gap! Smart by Red Bull.
The car was always there. And the FIA can’t say anything because the sport would be over.
MichaelN
3rd November 2024, 19:04
Obviously an impressive drive by Verstappen, but the two Alpine on the podium nuance that somewhat. It’s too their credit that they took this gamble, but that’s still what it was. The red flag rule has always produces these distorted results.
JOA20
3rd November 2024, 19:06
“Three-times world champion, I don’t have to change anything.”
That was my first thought as Verstappen crossed the finish line in 1st from 17th on the grid. Now he can say four instead of three! Sure, he got lucky with the red flag and the free pit stop (that rule needs to be reworked), but he got up to 6th on his own terms. I say he would’ve still got a podium even without the free tyre change. He set fastest lap 17 times in succession, just brilliant. I still say he deserves to be penalised whenever he pushes his opponents out, but on this day it didn’t happen. Nobody gets to say it’s the car, Perez was nowhere and finished out of the points.
McLaren and Norris, I don’t know what to tell you. You had a golden chance to close the gap in WDC and you blew it spectacularly. As usual, horrid start from Lando; with no Russell in front he might’ve been able to build a decent gap for a free stop when the SC came out. That restart too, there’s just no excuse for losing positions like that. Regarding Piastri, bad race from him as well, but I don’t feel like telling him off, he didn’t deserve to be told to swap positions, and what for? Nothing, he lost time and also dropped a position, McLaren should’ve just told Lando to swap back when he couldn’t get close to Leclerc.
WDC is done, Max just needs 26 points to seal it regardless of what Norris does, I think it’ll be settled in Qatar. WCC is still close, McLaren has 36 points over Ferrari and Las Vegas might be better suited for the red cars. Red Bull got close to them but I don’t think they’ll get in the mix without Perez stepping up…
JOA20
3rd November 2024, 19:08
Sorry, meant to say 24 points for Max to clinch the WDC, not 26…
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:30
Let’s add that it’s just a 200 meters straight from the finish line to turn 1, and most of the time I read the driver on pole managed to come out of it in p1, but not norris ofc.
José Lopes da Silva
3rd November 2024, 19:10
I don’t understanding why after 10 years Verstappen still is not clearly name “The Rain Master” while Schumacher was being called like that from 1997 onwards, having took “only” 4 or 5 great wet weather performances. Verstappen is very clearly, like Senna and Schumacher in their eras, the driver from who one expects nothing less than excellent performances in rainy afternoon.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
3rd November 2024, 19:26
I don’t necessarily disagree, but these were intermediate conditions throughout – the one time it got fully wet, the safety car came out immediately, to the detriment of those who were on the right tyres. And that became a red flag as soon as someone crashed (because they weren’t on the right tyres – go figure).
Being a supreme driver in wet weather doesn’t mean much in an era where wet weather racing isn’t really allowed.
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 8:46
My point is about consistency of results. You don’t build a Brazil 2016 every season; maybe once a decade. But when, wet race after race, season after season, you can be expected to win or excel in the wet, that’s the sign that you should be being compared to the two real Rain Masters of the past.
David BR (@david-br)
3rd November 2024, 21:31
As was Hamilton for a long period. Just in case you’ve forgotten.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
4th November 2024, 2:33
And fangio, ascari, clark, stewart, but yes, hamilton was definitely a notable absentee among recent drivers.
As for the comment about conditions, it’s a shame, yes, that they don’t actually race in heavy rain like in the 1980s, 1990s or even here in 2016, but on the few occasions verstappen has been no worse than he was here.
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 8:44
I’ve not forgotten Hamilton.
You don’t build the status of the Rain Master over a single outstanding performance and then you “disappear” for several years before suddenly you become a wet weather specialist again.
I’ve not forgotten Fangio either. The Godfather had seldom opportunities to show himself in the rain.
The thing with Senna is that, from Monaco 84 onwards, pretty much every time the wet weather came you could expect a masterclass. And he rarely disappointed. Spain 91 is the biggest disappoint.
It’s not to deliver a one-day marvel and then appear to be like everyone else in many other races. It is to consistently deliver great wet races.
Schumacher failed occasionaly in wet weather races up until Spain 96. From that time on his Regenmeister era started, and bad luck only arrived to him at Brazil 2003.
I don’t think neither Alonso nor Hamilton achieved the same level of wet weather consistency that Senna, Schumacher and Verstappen displayed or have been displaying.
Verstappen is in his tenth season and the only time he has really failed in the wet was Turkiye 2020.
David BR (@david-br)
4th November 2024, 9:43
I don’t think there was a single wet weather race where Hamilton didn’t show his proficiency in the rain until Hockenheim 2019, when he was leading but span after going on the wrong tyres. He was also ill that weekend. I don’t know what your yardstick is actually meant to be, but consistency he’s shown over almost all his career. Alonso has never been that remarkable in wet weather. Hamilton’s driving style is similar to Verstappen’s and it makes total sense that they’re both good in the rain (balancing the car before cornering, smooth handling, short corners and avoiding going out wide to corner, which is where a lot of drivers hit the white lines and lose adherence in wet weather).
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 10:24
I can point, at least China 2009 and Hungary 2011.
Not removing from Hamilton’s place in history nor from his talent. Alas, both Hamilton and Alonso have extremely solid argument regarding consistent long careers. And Alonso in Hungary 2006 put and incredible and forgotten show).
My point is that the level of consistent performances that Senna and Schumacher (1995-2003) displayed in the rain is very hard to match, but Verstappen is doing it.
Anyway, this could be a good challenge for @Keith Collantine and the team. Senna and Schumacher carried easily this title of Wet Weather Masters. Should it be applied to Hamilton and/or to Verstappen?
Schumi_alonso
4th November 2024, 4:51
Rainmaster would have been Reubens Barichello at Hockenheim 2000.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
4th November 2024, 19:06
That was a classic race, 18th to 10th on lap 1… Who else remembers the nutter who came on track on lap 25?
BMW P85 V10
3rd November 2024, 19:58
If Max were to be lucky today you can level it out with Norris’ luck a his maiden win in Miami.
Max was annoyed to the bone, but he didn’t sit down and watch his title fight slip away. He did what he needed to do, and he did it in style.
Staying out was not just luck, it was also a showing of confidence and skills were Norris asked to pit himself. If he had the confidence he would have stayed out, hold position and see how things would evolve. But he didn’t, putting himself at risk during (V)SC or Red Flag. The chances on such an event increasing by the lap. He put himself in that position. To call it bad luck is a way to dismiss any needed self criticism.
David West
3rd November 2024, 21:03
Max crashed in Miami and damaged his car. It wasn’t “Luck”.
BMW P85 V10
3rd November 2024, 21:31
Max finished the race in Miami. He damaged his car, not crashed it. Safety car failed on picking up the lead car which is normal practice (although not regulated). Norris’ first win was lucky. You win some, you loose some.
If Norris’ maiden win was not lucky, Max’ win today was also not lucky.
If Max’ win today was lucky, Norris’ maiden win was lucky as well.
Using the same logic twice can’t lead to different outcomes for both occasions. You can choose.
SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
3rd November 2024, 20:03
An absolute phenomenal drive. One for the history books. As a McLaren fan I salute Max and I am proud of being alive to have witnessed this as it unfolded. He is by far the best driver on the grid and a well deserved 2024 world drivers champion in what has not been the best car this year.
miciek (@micio)
3rd November 2024, 20:59
It won’t go to any history books. Overtaking top rivals using a red flag is not something people like to remember.
Grapmg
3rd November 2024, 21:47
Just rewatch the race. He was 5th before the VSC jumped 3 cars Rus, Nor and Tsu. finished 23s in front of Russel (the leader before VSC). So he overtook all others.
miciek (@micio)
3rd November 2024, 22:10
The first one to race him was Leclerc. He closed the inside and Max couldn’t do anything. Fifth was the maximum for him today which is still a good result.
grapmg
4th November 2024, 8:07
Norris finished behind Leclerc. Norris was even briefly behind Piastri and was let past. Max would certainly have finished before Norris and that was all he needed.
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 8:20
Yeah, it got him all the way from p17 suddenly into p1. I do not know how Race Control did it, but they certainly created his win. The rest was all his car.
Osnola
4th November 2024, 13:16
He passed 6 cars in lap 1 on the outside on the wet part.
Stuff of legends like donnington.
But you probably do not know.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
4th November 2024, 18:10
He had a good run through the Senna esses… nothing more.. nothing less.
Mayrton
5th November 2024, 7:58
Yeah, 71 times he did it, nothing more, nothing less.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
5th November 2024, 21:13
He went through the Senna Esses 71 times on the opening lap? :)
DaveW (@dmw)
3rd November 2024, 20:14
Let’s have a moment of silence for the career for Sergio Pérez. He got schooled by Lawson in the B team car and didn’t score a point while Max romped. Lawson does seem like a hothead and when he’s at RBR I expect drama with Max.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:31
@dmw The only way to gauge Perez’s ability now is outside of a Red Bull. These cars were as far apart as possible.
Like Gasly and Albon, he’d be doing much better at another team. He is there to legalize Max’s car.
bartvander (@bartvander)
3rd November 2024, 20:24
What a phenomenal race by Max. Incredible.
miciek (@micio)
3rd November 2024, 20:57
He didn’t overtake Leclerc.
He didn’t overtake Russell.
He didn’t overtake Norris.
And he won.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:28
He could have easily overtaken them. Watch the car in the overtakes. He put 20 seconds on Ocon in 20 laps and could have probably put 40 easily… He had 1-2 minute advantage today – when did we see this before? Wait, we saw it for 30 races…
miciek (@micio)
3rd November 2024, 22:11
He didn’t overtake Leclerc because Leclerc closed the inside like no one else before him.
He tried and failed. He needed the red flag to do it.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 23:24
@micio Max would have gotten him – the Ferrari is no match for today’s Red Bull. The ones in Mexico and Austin, different story. I don’t know how people cannot see it but that’s the car that won 7 races at the start of the season.
There’s nothing quite like it in F1. It clears car in places that no other F1 car can clear them and can overtake from any distance. It’s a different category car literally as everyone has called it.
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 8:23
Hahaha, i am so loving this. It is not the car! What you get is that the rain neutralises the car advantage all the other have had over him for quite some races now. What you saw was what will happen if they all drive the same car! Thanks for pointing out how brilliant exactly Max is to have you believe this was another car. It is hilarious.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
4th November 2024, 20:26
You believe that Max would be 0.75 seconds quicker in the same car? That’s the number by the way that Max had over all the other cars on every lap metronomically.
That means that Max has been driving the slowest car on the grid all this time. So at Spa which is 80% full throttle on the straight where he came up from 1 mile away to overtake Perez (Brundle’s words), also at full throttle, Max somehow added 100+ horsepower to the car?
That’s impressive stuff.
Mayrton
5th November 2024, 8:00
Yes, exactly. Have you seen Perez? Loving this awakening…
MichaelN
3rd November 2024, 23:32
It’s one of the frustrating parts of these ‘Verstappen wins from far back’ stories we’ve seen a couple of times over the past few years. He rarely has to actually fight for position. Everyone just sort of gives up in advance. It’s almost comical. The innate pace of the car will then see him filter through to the top spots before the half way mark of the race.
Again, he did a good job – but it’s not exactly the stuff of legends that some are claiming it is. He had a great car in qualifying too, botched it, and then recovered with the help of a convenient red flag. Ironically, his fumbled qualifying probably put him on the winning strategy of waiting for a neutralization. Had he started in the top three like he should have, it’s more likely he would have followed the Russell/Norris strategy.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 23:41
People will fight you if you have a car with the same pace. They will not fight you if you can clear them easily.
He was just clearing them so easily that they don’t fight – this was reminiscent of last year and the start of this season. These guys could clearly tell that the car behind them was much faster – they’ve seen that car before and yielded enough to tell them apart.
Some of last year’s overtakes were so stunning that they reminded me of LMP1 cars and GT3 cars (not even LMP2).
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 8:28
Hahahaha, now he just makes it look easy. You guys.. this is better than TV.
David West
3rd November 2024, 21:02
Without the red flag who wins?
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
3rd November 2024, 21:29
Verstappen does – the car is 2 minutes faster. All day long. That car is better in corners than the other cars on straights.
Tommy C (@tommy-c)
4th November 2024, 5:46
Mate, I’m Max’s biggest critic. I hate his unsportsmanlike behaviour and I don’t think he’s a good role model. But there’s no denying he’s an incredible driver. That’s quite OK to recognise.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
5th November 2024, 0:16
@tommy-c I have not said he’s slow – we all know he’s quick and he’s good in the rain. All I’m saying is that the car could lap the 2nd fastest car on track. Maybe Red Bull should have had more faith in his skills – I still think he would have done well with the current spec car but he would not have had a clear 0.75 second per lap advantage while falling asleep at the wheel.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
5th November 2024, 0:17
And Norris also said the Red Bull could lap the McLaren and he was in the race. It was clear as day for anyone on track which is why no one defended. They know that car – they’ve had nightmares about it for a year and
a half :-)
Riccard
3rd November 2024, 21:33
The crash required at least a full physical safety car, and – without the red flag – the level of rain probably required wets. Everyone would have come in under the safety car and pit for wets, and they’d have come out in largely the same order as after the red, except that those already on wets would have placed higher.
From there, who knows? It was an unpredictable race, and it would have been unpredictable without the red flag as well. However, I think the same three would still have been favourites for the podium (perhaps challenged by those already on wets).
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 9:01
Without the red flags there would be massive mayhem, with everyone beaching their cars. Verstappen would have made a 360º spin and safely proceed to the win.
An Sionnach
4th November 2024, 0:16
Oh, well. Now, Max only needs three sixth positions and zero from the remaining sprint to win, even if Lando gets maximum points. Outstanding driving from Max. He was under a lot of pressure lately, but only went completely overboard once (the second move in Mexico). I was wondering watching Lando struggle in qualifying and on the starts, if he has trouble modulating the throttle. Might be interesting for someone to do a side-by-side of Norris and other drivers to see if this is the case. I liked seeing Lando give it everything in some of those races, risking crashing out to get the bonus point. I don’t expect the Red Bull to be as fast as the McLarens and Ferraris in the dry, but it should be able to manage a few sixth places. I don’t think it would be fair to hope for a disaster to reopen the championship race. Not after that drive. If Max does win it, it seems fair that it was lost in this fashion, Lando and his team falling short when it finally seemed that the pendulum had swung firmly in their direction.
Well done also to Esteban and Pierre.
Would have been nice if Bottas could have snagged that eleventh place to get him off the bottom of the drivers’ standings.
miciek (@micio)
4th November 2024, 1:27
Well done to all the people who couldn’t qualify in top3! That’s what gave them the reason to gamble!
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 12:13
You might be thinking of those people who can’t put a qualifying lap because of the modern qualifying system, which is impossible to change because everyone likes it, in which a driver is barred of putting a lap by someone else’s mistake and then everything is doomed. The bad luck revolves for everyone.
Dane
4th November 2024, 0:56
After the last two races, Max’s tactics on track left a bad taste but on days like today you he reminds us of why he’s the best in the business at the moment.
Tommy C (@tommy-c)
4th November 2024, 5:42
Say what you like about Max, that was an incredible drive. The best of the best are often defined by their greatness in wet conditions. Clark Spa 63, Senna Donnington 93, Schumacher Spain 96 for example. I think this drive should be remembered as fondly. He simply made everyone else look silly. Quite refreshing given how unbearably awful he’s been at various stages this year. This is the best side of Max on show. Remember to recognise greatness while you can see it for yourself!
Bobby Balboa (@bobby-balboa)
4th November 2024, 6:24
Hamilton has always been a rain master & through his career, when he’s not had the fastest car he’s still drove the wheels off it and out performed the car. Until . . . . Michael Massi.
The Hamilton post that most controversial of season finals has lacked confidence in his own ability. The only person that could beat Hamilton was Hamilton himself.
There are other factors like his driving style not suiting the new cars & Mercedes not finding a clear path of development however in the past he would have drove around those issues.
He finally tasted victory this season but admitted himself that he didn’t think it was going to happen again which shows his lack of confidence.
On top of that Russel has wiped the floor with him in Qualifying. Russel in Q3 when Hamilton knocked out of Q1 or Q2. Russel’s place in the drivers championship would also be much more favourable if he didn’t get a win taken off him for no fault of his own.
Hamilton’s only silver lining is that Ferrari are right up there with McLaren at the front on recent form. If this continues into next season then he should have a race & championship winning car under him again but it will be no easy task going up against LeClerc who is firmly embedded in that team.
I fear Ferrari have made a mistake & should have kept hold of Carlos. But I really hope that a change of scenery revitalises Hamilton & he can finish his career on a hight
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 8:40
I am afraid Hamilton has been flattered by his cars throughout his career and this has created a set of unrealistic expectations of him and an unrealistic attribution of hero status. He is one of the greats and definitely a multiple WDC winner. But his tally of 7 is more down to circumstances, era and luck. Nothing wrong with that and he deserves it just as much as the next guy. It is -as I described- his environment putting labels on him and his achievements, that just create an inflation vs reality. He is not a Senna, Schumacher nor Verstappen, but that is fine. Neither is Vettel and he also has 4 titles. They are still very appreciated, extraordinary talents.
Bobby Balboa (@bobby-balboa)
4th November 2024, 22:29
Think you have taken my comment out of context. I am only talking about Hamilton’s driving standard post 2021.
Yes I know the car isn’t the best and Mercedes have been a bit lost on concept (zero sidepods for 2 seasons) and development.
However he has been making many mistakes, struggling in qualifying and often not getting the most out of the car.
He is ahead of Russel yes but Russel lost a win & 25 points due to a mistake by the team.
Take the last race for example. Poor qualifying and mistakes made during the race and finished in 10th to score 1 point. Hamilton has always excelled in wet races.
Russel had an amazing qualifying, beat Norris off the line & was driving a solid race even. The red flag after pitting lost him the victory I believe but he still finished far ahead of Hamilton and didn’t make any mistakes.
I am taking nothing away from what Hamilton has achieved in his career. He could have easily won his debut season and 2021 was stolen off him (but we don’t need to open that can again). He could have been sat with 9 WDC now but we all now that if is F1 spelt backwards.
I really hope he has a successful close to his career at Ferrari but due to his recent form I think Ferrari should have stuck with Carlos.
Next season will tell & I hope I am wrong.
PS. For the record. Hamilton is miles above Vettel in the hall of fame. I still hold Hamilton in higher regard compared to Max but there is very little between them. If Max cleaned up his driving I would give him more respect
Mayrton
5th November 2024, 8:10
My point is that you observe a change in Lewis which I claim is not a change but can be attributed to having false expectations of him, so I did not take it out of context but merely tried to put things in perspective. The post 21 Lewis is the same as the one before. People expecting more or better from him do this on false expectations created during a time he really had it all going for him and everything came together. It created an image that he now can’t live up to, which from an outsiders perspective perfectly makes sense, since he does not have the fastest car anymore.
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 12:10
@bobby-balboa Your assessment of Hamilton’s legacy is quite demeaning to him and exaggerated. You’re suggesting that a driver of Hamilton’s talent and importance cracked psychologically because of a controversial title decision. It could be, but it doesn’t make much sense. Hamilton has just not being “out there” in the need of extracting every bit of a car that can’t win races. When it is possible, he is usually above Russell.
@Mayrton too demeaning too. In the past, a driver able to sustain 15 years of consistently high performances would be lauded as an era-defining driver. You can’t blame the car for Hamilton having been able to overcome all sorts of challenges, including Rosberg – who wiped the floor with Schumacher – and Ferrari and Vettel, two years in a row. It would be easy for Hamilton to loose the titles the same way he lost the 2007 one, in his rookie year.
Mayrton
4th November 2024, 13:02
No intend to be demeaning, just ranking him in light of the circumstance, era and luck. A great multiple champion. My point is just that 7 titles is not a representations of where he sits amongst the others. 2 or 3 would be suitable. Just as 3 to 4 would be for Alonso. Tally doesn’t tell the whole story.
José Lopes da Silva
4th November 2024, 14:48
It doesn’t, but never forget what Nelson Piquet replied when a journalist asked him who was the best driver of the day, at the end of the 1993 season. He has a point.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
4th November 2024, 18:17
Gifted his first WDC and rocket shipped to the next two… Your right about tallys :)
Mayrton
5th November 2024, 8:14
There is too much emphasis on nr of titles, its about drives. Senna has a really low tally, yet nobody questions him.. forget the nr of WDC titles is all I am saying.
José Lopes da Silva
5th November 2024, 9:11
I don’t understand if you’re talking about Hamilton, Verstappen or Piquet. If one doesn’t understand about Formula One, one can say that all three had their first title gifted and the next two rocket-shipped.
tielemst
5th November 2024, 9:32
I still think that his Covid illness was the breaking point in his driving. Might be physical, might be a mental issue, but since then he was ‘off’ on certain weekends. And having been around people with long-Covid I can understand that.
Carlos Furtado das Neves
4th November 2024, 22:18
Perhaps, McLaren might have the best car, but, for sure, Red Bull have the best driver.
That’s my opinion.
I see F1 since 1981, regularly.
Sorry, but this is a sport that don’t allow “rookie mistakes”…
A3
10th November 2024, 14:29
Amen to that