On Sunday evening in São Paulo, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella was sportsmanlike enough to compliment Max Verstappen on his victory. The Italian, who has been consistently critical of what he sees as Verstappen’s overly aggressive defensive style, went a step further and suggested that the Dutchman is on his way to a well-deserved title defense. “We have always recognized his qualities,” he said.
Verstappen drove to victory in the São Paulo Grand Prix from an apparently beaten position (P17), aided by his favorite conditions in the rain. His only rival, Lando Norris, took the opposite path and fell from pole position to P6 at the finish. The mental blow hit hard in the McLaren camp, Stella acknowledged.
“It’s very impressive to drive from P17 to victory,” Stella admitted to Viaplay. “Max clearly sent a signal, I would say. He reminded us all of how strong he is. But we have always recognized his qualities.”
Stella does not believe that Lando Norris still seriously claims the world title. The Brit is now 62 points behind Verstappen, with only three races and a sprint race to go. Stella: “There is always a theoretical possibility. But Max is a three-time world champion and now on his way to his fourth title. That is very deserved! However, as long as we theoretically still have the possibility, we try to disrupt his route to the title.
