DHL FASTEST LAP AWARD

Max Verstappen stamps his authority, emphasized with DHL Fastest Lap

The 2024 Formula 1 drivers’ championship title was effectively decided last weekend in a rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix. And it was not the outcome that might have been expected after qualifying, with Lando Norris starting from pole and Max Verstappen from way back in P17. But Dutchman’s performance on Sunday showed once again why he is the considered to be the master in wet conditions, not only taking the race win but also posting the DHL Fastest Lap.

Verstappen’s Brazilian GP had everything in terms of superlatives. The start was extraordinary, with five places gained on the first lap. By lap 11, he was already up to sixth. This was followed by a brief interlude behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc - “Because Charles is actually quite decent,” as Verstappen put it after the race.

But when a second heavy downpour hit the track, Verstappen and Red Bull made the right decision by staying out while the rest of the field pitted for a rain tires. Shortly afterwards, the race was red-flagged, which allowed Verstappen a free change of tires to retain position ahead of faster opponents such as Norris and Leclerc.

A second safety car restart on lap 43 saw Verstappen finally take the lead from Esteban Ocon. He then pulled away from his pursuers to open up a gap of 19.477 seconds by the finish on lap 69. Not only did he claim the DHL Fastest Lap with a time of 1:20.472 on lap 67, he also set the nine fastest laps of the race!

“I was just very motivated to get a good race and just let the race pan out and see what happens,” said Verstappen afterwards. “Because in a wet race, always some crazy things can happen. But soon, I was passing a few cars, and I always had one lap or two laps of free air. I was always the fastest on the track. So, I knew that ‘OK, we are quick’. I just need to try and pass the guys to try and have a run to the front. I felt comfortable in the car. I feel comfortable in the wet anyway, but then when the car is also performing, it just doubles up and you can really pick up the pace.”

The best lap posted by an opponent - in this case Norris - was a full 1.045 seconds slower. Verstappen now has a 62-point lead over Norris in the championship. If he finishes ahead of the McLaren in Las Vegas, he is guaranteed to retain his world championship title.