In a blend of realism and disappointment, Max Verstappen stated on Saturday, following his dramatic qualification, that the title race is over. However, later today, he will undoubtedly strive to extract the maximum from the Brazilian Grand Prix. The likelihood of Lando Norris taking a lead in the world championship, however, is greater than the ‘Miracle of São Paulo’.
Verstappen in São Paulo
Throughout his impressive and successful career, Verstappen has staged several remarkable comebacks. In races, over weekends, and even throughout an entire season, as he has done this year. Consider last year’s São Paulo Grand Prix, where Verstappen drove from P17 to P1, dealing a decisive blow to Norris in the title race. This year, the tables could turn. Verstappen must once again stage a comeback in the race, but it appears to be a hopeless mission, with polesitter Norris potentially robbing him of the last glimmer of hope in the title race.
Verstappen, along with a rejuvenated Red Bull Racing team under Laurent Mekies, has miraculously fought his way back into the title race over the past few months. Both driver and team took risks, and rightly so, with rewards in the form of results. Until this weekend: things are not going well, resulting in a qualification exit in Q1. Unfortunately, they gambled and lost, but that’s the nature of the title race. The timing of the qualification exit is nonetheless painful. It was only the seventh Q1 exit in Verstappen’s career, and the first since 2021.
All or Nothing, Bend or Break, and Third Time’s the Charm
With a blend of realism and disappointment, Max Verstappen stated on Saturday after his dramatic qualification that the title race is over. However, later today, he will undoubtedly do everything he can to get the most out of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The chance of a ‘Miracle of São Paulo’ is slim, but there’s a higher likelihood that Lando Norris will take an early lead in the world championship.
Verstappen as Houdini XXL
In his equally impressive and successful career, Verstappen has made several remarkable comebacks. In races, over weekends, and even throughout an entire season. Not least of all last year, in Brazil, where he moved from P17 to P1, dealing a decisive blow to Norris in the title race. This year, the tables could turn. Verstappen must once again make a comeback in the race, but it seems like a hopeless mission with polesitter Norris likely to deal him a decisive blow in the title race. A title race in which Verstappen had fought his way back over the past few months, along with a rejuvenated Red Bull Racing under Laurent Mekies. Risks had to be taken, and they were rewarded. Until this weekend: things are not going well, resulting in a qualification exit in Q1. The seventh in Verstappen’s career, the first since 2021, and the first ever due to a genuine lack of speed. It’s the worst possible timing, leading Verstappen to conclude that the dream of a fifth title is now over. Instead, the Brazilian GP threatens to become a nightmare. Or… not? If anyone can create the ‘Miracle of São Paulo’, it’s Verstappen with his unique talents and skills. But even for him, as Houdini XXL, there’s probably no escape from this predicament today.
Norris Ready to Strike
Fast all weekend, better than rival and teammate Oscar Piastri, and watching from a distance as friend and challenger Verstappen struggles. Meanwhile, winning the sprint race and securing the pole for Sunday’s race. Life is smiling on Lando Norris in Brazil these days. He has a golden opportunity to take control of the title race: he already extended his lead over Piastri by eight points on Saturday, and another step forward beckons on Sunday. Will this create pressure? Then things might still go wrong. Does it build confidence? Then Norris is ready to strike after a quick start.
The Role of the Weather Gods
Storm, rain, harsh conditions, and thus the weather gods interfering with the Grand Prix? No, that’s not going to happen. At least, not according to the latest reports from São Paulo on Sunday. The weather is expected to remain dry, with some cloud cover and lower temperatures than earlier in the weekend. But the chance of rain is almost nil. It would be a surprise to the local meteorologists if any showers do occur. Never say ‘never’, especially in these parts, but still: the hope for a rain race can almost certainly be discarded today.
Verstappen Raises the White Flag in Title Fight
Verstappen’s disappointment this weekend led him to conclude after the qualification that his dream of winning the title is all but over. Instead, the Brazilian GP threatens to become a nightmare. Or… not? If there is anyone who can create the ‘Miracle of São Paulo’, it’s Verstappen with all his unique talents and skills. But… even for him, as a Houdini XXL, there is probably no escape from this precarious position today.
Norris Ready to Strike
Fast all weekend, better than rival and teammate Oscar Piastri, and watching from a distance as friend and challenger Verstappen struggles in São Paulo. Meanwhile, winning the sprint race and then taking the pole for Sunday’s race. In short: life is smiling on Lando Norris these days in Brazil. On Sunday, he has an excellent opportunity to turn the championship in his favor: he already extended his lead over Piastri by eight points on Saturday, and Sunday beckons another step towards his first title. Does this prospect create pressure? Then it might still go wrong.
However, it seems that the prospect of pulling ahead in the title fight is giving Norris wings. And then it’s quickly over on Sunday: a good start and the Englishman is gone, on his way to victory in Brazil.
The Role of the Weather Gods
Storm, rain, harsh conditions, and thus the weather gods interfering with the course of the Grand Prix on Sunday? No, don’t count on it, if we can believe the latest reports for Verstappen and co on Sunday from São Paulo. It is expected to stay dry, with at most some cloudiness and also lower temperatures than earlier in the weekend. But the chance of rain is almost nil.
It would be a surprise for the local meteorologists if some showers do occur. However, never say ‘never’, especially not in these South American regions.
And Furthermore…
…the circuit is 4309 meters long
…the race counts 71 laps
…Michael Schumacher won the most in Brazil (four times)
…the chance of a safety car is 82 percent
…the race starts at 18:00 Dutch time
