By Braeden Begyn, Cameron Goro, and Thomas Vogel
The 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos proved to be a thrilling and chaotic race, marked by challenging wet conditions and an extraordinary performance from Max Verstappen.
Verstappen's Masterclass
Max Verstappen delivered a stunning drive that will likely go down as one of his greatest victories. Starting from 17th place on the grid due to a qualifying setback and grid penalty, Verstappen showcased his exceptional skill in wet conditions. He made a brilliant start, gaining several positions on the first lap alone. Throughout the race, Verstappen displayed unmatched pace, methodically working his way through the field.
A crucial strategic decision not to pit under the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) paid off when red flags were waved shortly after. This allowed Verstappen to climb to second place and get a free tire change in the pit lane. After the restart, he overtook Esteban Ocon on track and pulled away for a famous victory--his first Grand Prix win since June.
Alpine's Surprise Podium
In a remarkable turn of events, Alpine teammates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly secured second and third places respectively. This unexpected double podium finish was particularly significant for the French duo, who have a long and complex history together. Both drivers grew up racing each other in Normandy, and their shared success at Interlagos brought back memories of their early karting days.
The result was especially remarkable as it marked one of Ocon's final races with Alpine before his move to Haas in 2025. The double podium also significantly boosted Alpine in the constructors' standings, lifting them from ninth to sixth place.
Championship Implications
Verstappen's victory further solidified his lead in the Drivers' World Championship. His closest rival, Lando Norris, started from pole position but was unable to convert it into a win. The gap between Verstappen and Norris in the championship standings increased to 62 points after the race.
Other Notable Performances
The challenging conditions led to mixed fortunes across the grid. George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson were noted for strong performances. Conversely, Lewis Hamilton and the Williams team faced particularly difficult weekends.
The 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix will be remembered as a race where driver skill truly shone through in treacherous conditions, with Verstappen's charge from 17th to 1st standing out as a defining moment of the season.
