Toto Wolff watched in awe as Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance in São Paulo. Despite a disastrous qualifying round, the Dutch driver managed to race from the pit lane to the podium. Wolff, who has previously praised Verstappen on numerous occasions, emphasized that the title race is far from over, despite the current points difference. He is personally hoping for an exciting finale at the season’s end in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s quite something,” Toto Wolff said about Verstappen’s podium finish in Brazil. “Red Bull has clearly made a significant leap forward. I heard they’ve updated the floor and performed an engine swap – that always helps. We did the same with Lewis (Hamilton) in the past,” the team boss recalled. “It just goes to show that you should never write off Verstappen, even if he starts from the back.”
‘McLaren is Doing it Right’
Wolff referred to the 2024 Brazilian GP, when Lando Norris won the race and further extended his lead in the World Championship doesn’t necessarily mean much. “I think McLaren is doing it right,” he said, referring to the so-called papaya rules. “They just let their drivers race. And I don’t see them knocking each other off the track anytime soon.”
“How many points is Verstappen behind?” Wolff wondered aloud. The answer is 49 World Championship points. “It’s still possible, although McLaren does have some margin,” he added. “As long as they don’t push each other off the track. Norris now has a solid lead, but one dropout could completely turn the championship upside down.” The Austrian is therefore hoping for a thrilling season finale, preferably during the final race at Yas Marina. “As a fan, of course, you hope that the battle will only be decided in Abu Dhabi,” he concluded with a smile.
