With this victory, it's not just the title that's getting closer for Verstappen
Max Verstappen's victory at the Brazilian GP represents one of the most intense and significant moments of the season. Arriving in Interlagos amid criticism for his recent on-track clashes and frequent questions about his driving style, the Dutch champion faced penalties for an engine change – in addition to the one obtained during the Sprint Race – and an unfortunately disastrous qualifying that relegated him to seventeenth position.
However, he demonstrated how true champions shine in the most difficult moments, transforming a seemingly doomed match into a masterpiece of talent, precision and inner strength.
Victory of maturity and talent
Verstappen, like a phoenix, accomplished a feat.
While his opponents made mistakes right from the start, Max let his anger and tension slide. Already at via He showed unshakable determination: seven overtaking moves in two laps in the rain were only the prelude to a comeback that impressed even his fiercest rivals.
What for many was luck – like the tire change facilitated by the red flag – proved to be a combination of perfect timing and ability to read the track, revealing a mature Verstappen aware of his potential. With impeccable management of the race, he inflicted a twenty-second gap on the second-placed driver, confirming that he is not only the defending champion but a driver who embodies the spirit of legends such as Senna and Schumacher.
A race that turned out to be a celebration of his greatness, that strength that goes beyond the numbers and performances of Red Bull. Verstappen is not just a driver who benefits from a powerful car. He is a born fighter, capable of driving with boldness and intelligence even in the most hostile situations.
With nostalgia, our minds went back to his debut year in Red Bull, when in 2016 – again here in Interlagos – he had left everyone speechless with his mastery and total control in the rain. There too, in a comeback, challenging the veterans without awe; there too, as if he dominated the primary element in all its forms, becoming a master of it.
There is a difference with that race, though. In 2016, as he himself stated, he had nothing to lose. He drove fearlessly, slipping into spaces and trying everything. Yesterday, however, he had everything to lose.
And in fact he didn't lose.
On the podium, his exultation seemed like a liberating cry after an up-and-down season that saw Red Bull dominate and then struggle. Max's smile is not just a celebration of victory. It is a sign of someone who knows how to face criticism and difficulties without losing his goal.
This is why Verstappen is champion
The 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix marks a new maturity for Verstappen.
Interlagos has done nothing but reaffirm his ability to dominate the scene, even when it seems that everything is against him. Far from the golden world of the podium, after months without triumphs, Verstappen has resumed his role as an absolute protagonist.
By winning yesterday he proved that his victories are never the result of chance or “luck”, as some opponents claim. Every overtaking, every fast lap – to the despair of his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase – was a tribute to his winning mentality and his indomitable competitive spirit.
His ability in the wet recalled the legendary feats of Senna, Schumacher and Hamilton, giving this Brazilian Grand Prix an epic aura. A performance that earned the applause of former champions such as Lewis and Alonso, symbols and indisputable recognition.
Lap after lap, Max reminded everyone why the number 1 on his car is deserved.
And as the lights go out on Interlagos, the world knows it is witnessing a race that will take Verstappen to new, ambitious heights.
