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Max Verstappen won a chaotic, rain-lashed Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, roaring back from 17th on the grid to reignite his push for a fourth successive world title.
The Red Bull driver came home ahead of Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who benefitted when the race was earlier red-flagged, with title rival and pole-sitter Lando Norris only managing a sixth-place finish in his McLaren.
Victory was Verstappen’s first in a grand prix since Spain in June and he now boasts a 62-point lead in the championship with three races left in the season.
“You know what that is? Simply lovely,” said Verstappen on the team radio as he crossed the finish line.
George Russell was fourth in a Mercedes with Charles Leclerc fifth in a Ferrari while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was seventh.
Yuki Tsunoda of RB Racing was eighth with teammate Liam Lawson in ninth and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton filling out the top 10.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris said he made too many mistakes and blamed bad luck for his failure to win from pole position on Sunday as Max Verstappen stormed to a sensational victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver came home sixth after an error-strewn performance that saw Red Bull’s three-time world champion move within clear sight of clinching a fourth title after starting from 17th on the grid.
After winning Saturday’s sprint, Norris started Sunday’s race 44 points behind Verstappen in the championship, but he ended the day 62 adrift with three Grands Prix and one sprint race remaining.
Verstappen could clinch the title if he finishes ahead of Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 24 November.
“I think it was all about position loss,” said Norris, referring to McLaren’s decision to call him in for fresh tyres while Red Bull waited for a red flag stoppage to pit Verstappen.
“We were just under the red flag with a free stop for the others — so it was unfortunate, nothing more.”
He added: “It was a difficult day. I made a couple of mistakes that cost me against George (Russell) and cost me against Charles (Leclerc). Nothing more. It was a tough day. I did my best. I’ve had a lot of good races and it was about time that something didn’t go right.”
Asked about Verstappen’s performance, to slice through the field and claim his first win in 11 Grands Prix, Norris said: “He drove well. He got a bit lucky today, but that’s life.
“George (Russell) probably felt like he won the race today and he probably deserved to win the race more than anyone else did, but sometimes it’s just unlucky and the rules go against you.”
Norris went off three times and faced a stewards investigation after the race for leading into a second formation lap without waiting for a green light. — SuperSport.
Online Reporter