Verstappen Calls Brazilian GP Podium 'Unexpected' After Pit Lane Start

Max Verstappen described his stunning São Paulo Grand Prix performance as "unexpected" and "incredible," securing a podium finish despite starting from the pit lane and overcoming an early puncture.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's ability to climb from the pit lane to a podium finish in Brazil showcases his exceptional driving skill and Red Bull's strategic prowess and car development. This performance is a testament to their resilience and ability to maximize points even on challenging weekends, further solidifying their competitive standing in Formula 1.

The details:

• Verstappen became only the eighth driver in F1 history to achieve a podium finish after starting from the pit lane, a feat not seen since Lewis Hamilton in Hungary 2014.
• He finished third, behind race winner Lando Norris (McLaren) and runner-up Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), just 0.362 seconds shy of second place and a few seconds behind Norris.
• Pit Lane Start: Verstappen's journey began from the pit lane due to a difficult qualifying session where his RB21 lacked grip and balance. This prompted Red Bull to fit a completely new power unit and make suspension setup changes.
• Early Setback: Adding to the challenge, Verstappen had to pit early in the race due to a puncture, momentarily disrupting his strategy.
• Overtaking Masterclass: Despite these hurdles, he executed numerous overtakes, expressing his strategy: "Just trying to pass as fast as possible because you don't want to lose too much time, but then some cars were also in DRS trains, so it was not always very straightforward."

Reactions:

Verstappen expressed his surprise and pride post-race: "To be on the podium from the pit lane, I didn't expect that at all, even with a puncture as well at the beginning of the race... An incredible result for us. Very happy with that, and just very proud of everyone within the team as well."

The big picture:

This performance underscores Red Bull's relentless pursuit of improvement and their 'never give up' attitude. Despite a tough Saturday, the team managed to extract significant lap time and optimize their car for race day, turning a potential disaster into a remarkable success.

What's next:

This result will undoubtedly boost team morale and confidence as the season progresses. While the championship picture is often about consistent performance, a drive like this highlights Verstappen's individual brilliance and Red Bull's ability to deliver under pressure, making them a formidable force for upcoming races and seasons.