Max Verstappen: Red Bull driver ’emotional’ after ‘unbelievable’ Sao Paulo GP win Trending Global News

Max Verstappen has revealed how a topsy-turvy start to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday made his crucial victory so “emotional”.

Verstappen started 17th but showed his class even in the rain to end a 10-race winless streak and take a 62-point lead over Lando Norris with just three rounds remaining.

The Dutchman’s low grid position was the result of an unfortunate Q2 exit early on Sunday, as the session was pushed to race morning due to Saturday’s storms.

Verstappen, who was pushed further down the grid by a five-place penalty for taking a new engine at the start of the weekend, admitted he had struggled to deal with the disappointment at the time of his elimination.

“It’s definitely an emotional win. I was very upset this morning and my emotions are going from left to right today,” Verstappen said. Sky Sports F1,

“I surprised myself by winning here today. We started really well, stayed out of trouble, made good overtakes and were very fast.

“We took the right call with the red flags to stay out. Suddenly it started raining and it was impossible to even drive on wet tyres.

“Also the calls with the team, I know they are very calm and amazing at helping me make the right decisions even at the pit wall. In a race like this, it’s a huge thing to have that happen.”

He later said in the written press: “I don’t even know where to start, because today my emotions range from trying to destroy the garage to winning the race.”

Verstappen reveals secrets behind wet skills

Verstappen made a great start to Sunday’s race after gaining six positions in just one lap, including a move on Lewis Hamilton at Turn One, a corner he made great impact on as he passed cars one by one , eventually taking the lead from Esteban. Ocon following a safety car restart.

The key move came when Red Bull decided to keep him out during the Virtual Safety Car, allowing Verstappen to overtake three cars, including Norris, before red flags allowed him to waste no time fitting new tires. Gave the permission to.

Verstappen continued, “I felt good that I could come forward. I felt comfortable. From a young age I drove a lot in the wet with my dad and best friends.”

“We are practicing many different scenarios every time. Naturally it makes you comfortable in these conditions but the car still needs work. It gave me confidence today.

“I’m extremely happy with this result. It’s been an incredible race for us.”

Verstappen ranks Sao Paulo win as his best

Verstappen has now won 62 races, with only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (105) having been on the top step of the podium more times.

Sunday’s performance was reminiscent of Verstappen’s drive to the podium at Interlagos in 2016 when he went through a storm in the wet.

Verstappen said, “It’s definitely a lot more important than in the past. There I had nothing to lose. I was not in the championship fight and after the strategic mistake we made, I came from behind. Was coming.”

“There was a lot at stake now. So I had to be more controlled, more aware of the championship. So for me, of course it’s the best [of the two],

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the team “never expected” to win and that he believed Verstappen was “the best in the world” in all conditions.

“It was a masterclass and in those conditions a driver’s skill really comes to the fore and he was in a league of his own,” he said. Sky Sports F1,

“As a team we got all the calls right and the car speed was great. An excellent drive coming from 17th. This morning it felt like everything was against us, but he turned it around.

“He got a great start, six cars on the first lap. It was an incredible performance, one of his best.”

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