When the world championship is finally decided, the moment where it was surely settled was appropriately with what must be considered the drive of the season from Max Verstappen. The Dutchman’s uncompromising style and aggression has come under enormous scrutiny of late but with his victory from 17th on the grid at the São Paulo Grand Prix he gave a stark reminder that, for all that, he is an exceptional driver and in so doing left his title rival Lando Norris’s hopes shattered.
This was a peerless performance, a masterclass in the rain in Brazil that has deservedly all but clinched Verstappen’s fourth title but a more unlikely win was hard to imagine before the lights went out.
