Verstappen shows his class in the rain chaos in Brazil

Had such high hopes Lando Norris had. The Brit was in first place on the grid McLaren was considered the fastest car in the field. Only 17th was the World Cup leader Max Verstappen at the start of the race. The question was, how many points will Norris gain at the Brazilian Grand Prix?

The answer: Norris lost 18 points to the outstanding Verstappen. The Dutchman drove a furious race in the rain, took his 62nd victory and is heading inexorably towards world title number 4. Although there are still three Grands Prix plus a sprint to complete this year, the Formula 1 world champion will also be called Verstappen in 2024.

“Do you know what that is? Simply enchanting,” said Verstappen. “My emotions have been on a roller coaster. We’ve stayed out of trouble.”

There was action and chaos throughout the weekend.

Because of heavy rain Qualifying must be moved from Saturday to Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. local time.

It’s wet there too, one Crashorgie The result is that the red flag has to be waved five times. Alex Albon’s Williams is so badly damaged that the Thai driver cannot even start the race. While Norris holds his nerve and takes pole position, Verstappen only comes in twelfth – plus a five-place penalty for changing a drive unit on his Red Bull. Prophet Helmut Marko is still confident: “The podium is out of the question.”

Already in the Warm-up lap Lance Stroll spins off the track in his Aston Martin. The start is aborted.

Poleposition-Mann Norris ignores the flashing traffic lights and drives away in front, the rest of the field follows. The incident will be investigated after the race.

It sets again exactly at the actual start heavy rain a. Pérez spins off the track and into last place.

Verstappen drives excellently. In his own league, the Dutchman plows unstoppably through the field. From 17th place he moves up to 5th.

Then turns Hulkenberg. The Haas gets stuck next to the track. Virtual safety car. Russell and Norris go into the pits to change tires, Esteban Ocon takes the lead ahead of Verstappen. Norris falls back to 5.

torrential rain. The safety car comes out and collects the field behind. Meanwhile, the Argentinian Colapinto is wrecking his Williams. Red flag.

Verstappen laughs up his sleeve. Since the race is stopped, he gets a “free” pit stop.

After a long break we go behind that Safety-Car further. Bearman (twice) and Zhou spin. Norris also slipped off the track and lost a place.

Whose car is turning into the gang? It is Carlos Sainz. Ferrari broken, Bernd Mayländer in the safety car books the next lead laps into his account.

Verstappen takes the lead at the restart and storms away. Norris’s next mistake – the Brit slips out and falls further back.

Verstappen also drives the fastest race lap. Next to him, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are allowed on the podium. A sensation for the Alpine pilots. Norris comes sixth. His World Cup dream is over.