Brazilian GP takeaways: Max masterclass, Lando loses his shot, Alpine's moment

We offer our takeaways following each race weekend this year and continue the 2024 schedule with the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Moments that decided the race 👀

Verstappen's wet-weather masterclass may have sealed the drivers' championship

In a weekend filled with tributes to the legendary Ayrton Senna, reigning world champion Max Verstappen put forth a wet-weather drive on his home territory that would have made the Brazilian proud.

Forced to start 17th on the grid due to a costly red flag in qualifying and an engine penalty, Verstappen was in jeopardy of surrendering 25 points to his title rival and pole-sitter, Lando Norris. But when the spray dissipated, it was Verstappen who finished first, 30 seconds ahead of Norris, who tumbled to sixth.

In a race ruled by the laws of chaos - rain, red flags, and safety cars - Red Bull made all the right decisions and let Verstappen do the rest. By the end of Lap 1, he was already 10th. By Lap 11, he was sixth. And by Lap 43, he was in first, while Norris was in seventh.

After taking the lead, Verstappen did something he hasn't been capable of doing in a while - stretch his legs. It was one fastest lap after another until the checkered flag, as the world champion won by a margin of 19.4 seconds. Having free air was key, but it felt symbolic that the driver who entered with a 10-race winless streak and criticism over his driving etiquette was flexing his muscle.

Verstappen also benefitted from a few lucky breaks. George Russell and Norris pitted from first and second, respectively, in the final seconds of a virtual safety car, which promoted Verstappen to second. A red flag a few laps later during a full safety car then allowed the Dutch driver to put on fresh intermediate tires. But the greats seem to have the ability to create their own luck. Verstappen put himself in a position to benefit and Red Bull returned the favor, making the right gamble that another safety car or red flag would occur.

The 27-year-old produced a drive that only comes around once a generation. He was the first driver in nearly 20 years (Kimi Raikkonen at Suzuka in 2005) to win from 17th or worse and is one of only five drivers to ever accomplish the feat. The fact that his back was against the wall with the championship battle seemingly hanging in the balance made it even more memorable.

If rain is the great equalizer, then Sunday's race demonstrated why Verstappen is on his way to another drivers' title and in a special class of drivers that includes Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton.

Red flag hands Alpine massive day

Chaos and carnage may have defined the 2024 Brazilian GP, but this was a result Alpine could only have dreamt of.

Alpine’s gamble to not pit before Franco Colapinto’s red flag paid off. Esteban Ocon, starting the race from P4, held onto first after the red flag's restart and was only to be overtaken by a vintage Verstappen on a subsequent restart - which is impressive in its own right. Pierre Gasly picked up positions throughout the field and was able to hold off George Russell in his much faster Mercedes with ease.

Both Frenchmen managed spray from the rain and flew down the track on their intermediate tires, with Ocon ultimately finishing second and Gasly making up 12 positions to finish third. It’s Alpine’s first podium finish since Gasly finished third in Zandvoort 2023, and the 33 points earned jumps Alpine up to sixth from ninth in the constructor’s championship. Brazil is also the team's first double podium since 2013, where Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean took second and third, respectively, at the Korean Grand Prix. It may have taken 20 races, but in an otherwise lousy season for Alpine, their rainy double podium is one for the ages.

Driver of the Day 🙌

Max Verstappen: Every great has an iconic, resilient drive when it feels like all the odds are stacked against them. Lewis Hamilton had one in Brazil three years ago, and Verstappen got his defining moment Sunday at the same track with his unforgettable wet-weather drive. Despite being in rough shape after he was forced to start 17th, the reigning three-time world champion picked his way through the field as the rain came down and became only the fifth driver in Formula 1 history to win from 17th or further back. Sunday's wet-weather masterclass was, as Verstappen put it himself, simply lovely.

They said what? 🗣️

Verstappen on his historic performance: "My emotions today have been a rollercoaster - with qualifying being really unlucky with the red flag - starting P17, I knew it was going to be a tough race. We stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm and we were fine. Unbelievable, to win here from so far back on the grid."

Horner on Verstappen's brilliant race: "It was a masterclass today. In those conditions the driver's skill really comes forward. He was in a league of his own. ... An outstanding drive. To come from 17th - this morning it felt like everything had gone against us - but he turned it around. ... One of his very best."

Norris on finishing 6th after starting from pole: "All of our position losses were under the red flag so a free pitstop for the others, it was unfortunate, nothing more. ... Sometimes, just unlucky and the rules go against you. Difficult day, I made a couple of mistakes. I had a lot of good races, it was about time something didn't go right. ... (Verstappen) drove well and got a bit lucky."

Gasly on Alpine's incredible race: "It's incredible for the whole team. We've had such a tough season, we've struggled to score points. In these conditions everything was possible and I didn't believe it until the end - two cars on the podium - I don't think anyone would have got that on their bingo card at the start of the season. ... I'm absolutely buzzing right now. I am so proud of the team. To overcome such a tough season, it would have been too easy to give up, but we never gave up, and here we are."

Hamilton on struggling with car to finish P10: "It's like a plank of wood, no suspension, bouncing on the tires everywhere, and can't get on the power. It's the worst ride that we've definitely ever had, particularly through corners, just so stiff. Hopefully we won't have anymore bumpy tracks."

What's next?

There's only three races left this season. After a two-week break, Formula 1 heads to Nevada for the Las Vegas GP on Nov. 24 at 1 a.m. ET.

Verstappen, who can clinch his fourth drivers' championship in Vegas, won the inaugural race at the street circuit last season ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.