Max Verstappen's remarkable victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix has significantly impacted the Formula One championship standings, effectively extinguishing Lando Norris's hopes of claiming the title. Starting from 17th on the grid, Verstappen navigated through a rain-soaked race at Interlagos, showcasing his exceptional driving skills to secure the win and extend his lead to 62 points over Norris.
Following the race, Verstappen addressed the media, expressing his frustration with recent criticisms from British commentators, notably Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert. Hill's comparison of Verstappen to the fictional character Dick Dastardly and Herbert's remarks regarding his mindset seemed to have struck a chord with the reigning champion. Verstappen's pointed comments about the British press's absence from the post-race conference further highlighted his discontent.
While Verstappen's victory positions him favorably to retain his title, Norris's performance at Interlagos was marred by mistakes, including losing the lead from pole position and running off track multiple times. Despite these setbacks, McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, defended Norris, emphasizing that the team's focus remains on the constructors' championship and that they are still mathematically in contention for the drivers' title.
With the next race in Las Vegas scheduled for November 23, Verstappen is poised to secure his championship title, while Norris and his team continue to strategize for upcoming races in pursuit of their own goals.