There are those athletes who are great: they win titles, championships and generally achieve high heights. Some of them go onto enter the fray in conversations as to who the greatest is. The difference between those categories is the ability to perform when the pressure is on. If it was ever in doubt, the recent Brazilian Grand Prix confirmed that Max Verstappen falls firmly into the latter category.
The Dutchman was up against it all this weekend – not least the weather – but, first and foremost, his championship on the line. McLaren’s sprint 1-2, followed by Norris’ pole the following morning, made it appear that, not only had the team got the best car, but had also got a handle on the team orders which had screwed over Norris earlier this year. The gap in the World Drivers’ Championship was 44 points, which with the form they showed, and Verstappen’s P17 starting slot, was beginning to look possible. Then a masterclass took place. Few times in F1 history has a car looked simply an extension of the man at the wheel, but they did on Sunday. And that’s no easy feat with the RB20 as of late – just ask Sergio Perez.
From the moment a fresh-faced 17 year old burst onto the scene, his natural talent was unmistakable. Yet perhaps Verstappen’s strength may not be so much his speed and racecraft, but his physiological resilience, which this season has expressed so clearly. After a relatively comfortable win in 2022, and domination last year, perhaps we’d forgotten that it’s when the pressure is on that makes Verstappen the talent he is.
Norris has shown moments of brilliance this year, his maiden win in Miami and then sensational dominance in Zandvoort and Singapore. But for all the highs, mistakes have been almost a constant, particularly his comically routine lap one fumbles. Meanwhile, Verstappen, even when not on top, has won through sheer consistency every weekend, and extracting more out of a weaker car than anyone has any right to do.
Now, a worthy fourth world title now looks inevitable, and if not in Las Vegas, it will surely be won in Qatar. Next year’s championship is being billed already as one of the greatest in F1 history, but a word of caution to all those who could be future world champions – Norris, Leclerc, Piastri – you’ll still have a problem named Max Verstappen to deal with for years to come. He’s not willing to relinquish his crown just yet.
Illustration by Emily Lucas @mydoitillustration