Max Verstappen storms from 17th to victory in rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix

F1 Drivers’ Championship leader Max Verstappen won a chaotic, rain-lashed Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, roaring back from 17th on the grid to reignite his push for a fourth successive world title.

The Red Bull driver came home ahead of Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who benefitted when the race was earlier red-flagged, with title rival and pole-sitter Lando Norris only managing a sixth-place finish in his McLaren.

The victory was Verstappen’s first in a grand prix since Spain in June and he now boasts a 62-point lead in the championship with three races left in the season. “You know what that is? Simply lovely,” said Verstappen on the team radio as he crossed the finish line.

George Russell was fourth in a Mercedes with Charles Leclerc fifth in a Ferrari while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was seventh. Yuki Tsunoda of RB Racing was eighth with teammate Liam Lawson in ninth and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton filling out the top 10.

The race was suspended on lap 32 after a huge crash involving Williams driver Franco Colapinto. The Argentine lost control on the treacherous surface, smashing into a wall and tearing off the left side of his car.

Colapinto appeared unhurt but had to retire from the race. The race was red-flagged while debris was cleared.

At the time of the suspension, Ocon was leading ahead of the championship leader after the early pace-setters, including Norris, had pitted. After the delay, the race resumed under a rolling start.