It wasn’t an easy race for Scuderia Ferrari at Interlagos. On a challenging Sunday, Charles Leclerc tried to limit the damage, even managing a fierce defense against an on-fire Max Verstappen, who openly expressed his respect for his Monegasque rival.
The chaotic Brazilian race brought Max Verstappen closer to his fourth world title. Starting from 17th on the grid, the championship leader delivered a masterful, almost legendary drive, pushing him to the top of the podium. Max Verstappen’s comeback seemed unstoppable from the very start, with his Red Bull already near the points after just a few corners. Aggressive overtakes, blistering pace, and minimal errors: the harsh conditions in São Paulo highlighted Verstappen’s brilliance, unstoppable for almost everyone.
Max’s rise to the front of the race standings was swift, but there was one battle that notably slowed him down. The 27-year-old from Hasselt acknowledged this on the podium, surrounded by the Alpine duo, during the moments right after the race.
Max Verstappen’s admiration for Charles Leclerc
Talking to Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, Max Verstappen reviewed some key race moments displayed on the nearby screen. Among the highlights was the lap-22 battle between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. While chasing down the Ferrari for fifth place, the Dutchman found the Monegasque driver tough adversary, able to hold him back for a while despite the challenges of managing the SF-24 on a cold and wet track.
Commenting on his battle with Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen expressed his respect for his rival. The Red Bull driver clearly appreciated Charles Leclerc’s tenacious but fair defense. “Here, I got stuck because Charles is actually quite good!” remarked the three-time world champion.
