Lando Norris claimed Max Verstappen's stunning comeback from 17th to first in Sunday's rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix was "lucky" following a chaotic afternoon in Sao Paulo which all but ended the British driver's championship hopes.
Norris started from pole position but ran off the road twice in Interlagos and finished sixth to leave him 62 points behind Verstappen with only 86 points available across the remaining three rounds.
It means Verstappen will wrap up his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas on November 23 if he finishes ahead of Norris.
Verstappen started way down the order but the Red Bull man delivered a performance for the ages - setting five fastest laps in a row and 17 in all - to take the chequered flag 19.4 seconds clear of runner-up Esteban Ocon.
Verstappen became the first driver since Kimi Raikkonen at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2005 to win from as far back as 17th on the grid.
Norris finished 31 sec behind his rival but, when asked about Verstappen's triumph, the McLaren driver replied: "Max drove well and got a bit lucky. That's it.
"I made a couple of mistakes which I own up to and it cost me a couple of positions in the end.
"It was a tough day. I did my best. It was about time that something didn't go right. Max won the race. Well done to him. It doesn't change anything."
Norris trailed George Russell after he lost out to the Mercedes driver at the opening corner before the duo stopped for a new set of intermediate tyres on lap 28.
Verstappen elected against pitting, promoting him to second, before the race was red-flagged after Franco Colapinto crashed out in his Williams.
The delay allowed Verstappen to take on a free tyre change and the Dutchman raced past Ocon on lap 43 of 69 before going on to claim one of the most impressive victories of his career.
Norris added: "We were unlucky and they got lucky on a rule that nobody agrees with. Every driver said they wanted it changed. It could have benefited us if we have stayed out but that's hindsight.
"We weren't quick enough. If Max had started at the front he probably would have lapped us.
"I guess George feels like he won the race today. He deserved it more than anyone else."
Russell, who finished fourth in the end, said: "Sometimes you have to trust your gut. It was very clear it was going to be a red flag.
"Who knows if we could have won the race but if we didn't pit, we would have led at the restart."
