Verstappen delighted despite difficult conditions

While the rest of the drivers on the grid struggled on the wet Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Red Bull prodigy Max Verstappen looked the most comfortable as he managed to finish P3.

Claiming third behind the two Mercedes drivers, Verstappen was on target to finish the Brazilian Grand P2 but made a bold decision to switch to intermediate tyres, which proved costly as the rain came plummeting down shortly afterwards.

Despite the chaos, the red flags and safety cars, the Dutchman described the race as incredible, especially his ‘save of the century’ when he rescued his RB12 from flying into the barrier.

“It was an incredible race with the red flags, difficult conditions especially the last straight which was really slippery,” he said during the podium presentation.

“In the final restart I managed to overtake Nico and I was in quite a comfortable position over there.

“But I had a massive moment; maybe I clipped the kerb, had a massive moment and locked all four wheels.

“I managed to keep it out of the guardrail and continue still in second. Then we decided to pit for intermediates but unfortunately it started to rain afterwards so it didn’t work out.

“After that I was 15th, 14th, don’t know what I was but some great overtakes to come back onto the podium, it was amazing.”

When asked about his racing lines, the teenager replied: “I couldn’t see so I had to take another line.”