Sky F1’s Martin Brundle has singled out Max Verstappen’s sensational recovery at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as a truly historic effort, calling it a “drive for the ages.”
The Red Bull charger, starting from the pit lane after a shock Q1 exit, carved his way through the field in a performance that left fans and commentators alike in sheer awe. Despite an early puncture and a safety car shuffle, the Dutchman’s pace, precision, and composure propelled him onto the podium.
Brundle, reflecting on Verstappen’s display in his post-race column for Sky Sports, outlined why this performance stood out even among the Dutchman’s already remarkable career highlights.
According to the former Grand Prix driver, the decision to start from the pit lane was a strategic masterstroke, and the execution through a tightly-packed field made it one of the most impressive drives in recent memory.
From Pit Lane to Podium Glory
“Verstappen had started from the pitlane because his car looked so dismal in qualifying it was better to try something different on the set up and fit a new power unit rather than being stuck 16th on the grid with a package known to be off the pace,” Brundle wrote.
“And so began one of the all-time great drives through a closely-matched pack in what would be entirely dry conditions.”
Verstappen’s pace was immediately evident, but his initial charge hit a snag when he ran over debris under the Virtual Safety Car, resulting in a puncture. Far from derailing his charge, Brundle noted that the setback actually worked in Verstappen’s favour.
©RedBull
“The downside of this is that he was now at the back of the remaining runners again, but at least he’d parked the unfavoured hard compound tyre and ticked the legality box of having used two different dry tyre compounds by lap seven,” he explained.
“Then he set about charging through the pack at great speed, clearly much happier with his car and motor. He was clinical in his moves and relentless with his speed and it quickly became apparent that a podium finish was on, and within a few more laps, pretty much a certainty.”
Avoiding Chaos and Chasing Glory
Brundle emphasized Verstappen’s ability to navigate the mayhem unfolding elsewhere on the track, demonstrating not just speed but masterful racecraft.
“Once he caught the pack, he had avoided all the chaos and contact between the likes of Sainz, Hamilton, Stroll, and Bortoleto, and the safety car at least allowed Max to close the gap to the leaders as he was already mid-pack pretty much straight away.
“But then, like a game of snakes and ladders, he had a slow puncture and had to pit again.”
Even after being forced back to the rear, Verstappen’s relentless drive carried him past George Russell and on the hunt for Kimi Antonelli in the closing laps, narrowly missing out on an improbable win.
A Legacy at Interlagos
Sao Paulo has long been a stage for Verstappen’s career-defining performances. Brundle recalls his first season with Red Bull in 2016, when he thrilled fans with a dazzling wet-weather podium and a legendary overtake on Nico Rosberg.
He also pointed to 2024, when Verstappen claimed a remarkable victory from 17th on the grid, effectively sealing the title at Lando Norris’ expense.
Reflecting on the four-time world champion’s latest feat, Brundle summed it up in ecstatic fashion.
“It was a drive for the ages, and not because it was wet or that he aced a red flag-free tyre change in a similarly mesmerising drive at this track last year, but on sheer pace through the most competitive field in F1 history,” he concluded.
With yet another legendary performance under his belt, Verstappen has reminded the paddock why he is considered the class of the current F1 grid – capable of turning adversity into spectacle and leaving fans and pundits alike in awe.
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