Horner compares Verstappen’s 1st lap to Senna’s at Donington 1993

Seventeenth on the grid but 15th at the start after the withdrawals of Alex Albon and Lance Stroll, Max Verstappen offered an exceptional first lap during the São Paulo Grand Prix where, on a wet track, the Dutchman climbed to 11th place in the space of three turns, thanks to optimal placement of his car, and a series of precise overtakes, in delicate conditions.

Verstappen again overtook Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes at the start of the second lap, to position himself in the points in just a few minutes, despite having started from the back of the grid. Subsequently, the three-time world champion was able to optimize perfect timing to climb to second place before the red flag caused by Franco Colapinto’s Williams going off the road, before dropping Esteban Ocon’s Alpine to finish. seize command and achieve his first Grand Prix success since the end of June.

After the race, Christian Horner, the director of the Red Bull team, was full of praise for his driver, who in Brazil came closer to a fourth world title, which he could seal at the next Grand Prix. in Las Vegas.

“Today was an emotional roller coaster because we knew we had a good car,” Horner said after the race. “Max’s mental strength and attitude to deal with this is exceptional, and I thought his start today was electric.”

“That first lap was comparable to Donington 93, on the outside of Turn 3. I think he passed six cars on the first lap. Then he was the only car to really progress, to be able to overtaking cars – and so late on the brakes in turn 1.”

Horner thus evokes one of the most memorable races in F1. On that day, in 1993, the Brazilian driver delivered what has since often been considered the most memorable ride in the history of the discipline. Starting fourth in the rain, Senna briefly lost a position to the Benetton of Michael Schumacher before regaining his place in front of the German driver.

Then, the three-time world champion had methodically removed, in a few turns, the Sauber of Karl Wendlinger, then the Williams of Damon Hill and Alain Prost, to seize the lead of the race even before the end of the first loop, before flying over the event and winning one of his most famous victories, on a mount that was less efficient than the Williams, then dominant.

For Horner, Verstappen’s performance in Brazil, and the way he bounced back after being eliminated in Q2 that morning, and forced to start from the back of the grid, will also go down in sporting history.

“Whether it’s Lewis [Hamilton]by Oscar Piastri or Esteban [Ocon] at the time of the restart, he controlled the race and lived up to expectations”, continue Horner. “He then controlled the race and broke away easily, at a rate of one second per lap. So he shone brightly [dimanche]while the day was rather gloomy.”

This demonstration comes as Verstappen’s driving has been singled out in recent weeks, after maneuvers on his title rival Lando Norris, in the United States, then in Mexico.
“Of course there have been a lot of comments that have been made and opinions that have been expressed against Max and the way he drives,” Horner continued.

“I think the best way to respond to those criticisms is to produce the driving he did. We’ve seen a lead dwindling since before the summer break and, having not won since June, it was great to “hearing the Rolling Stones again in the garage, in memory of Dietrich Mateschitz, who we play every time we win a Grand Prix.”

Asked if he thought the nature of his victory in Brazil indicated that Verstappen was the best driver F1 has ever seen, Horner replied: “It’s hard to have that kind of judgment from one generation to the next. Bernie [Ecclestone] called me after the race and said, ‘I’ve seen all the great ones, and this is one of the best I’ve ever seen.’ He’s a little older than me and has seen a little more, so that’s a credit to him.”