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F1 Brazilian GP: Max surprises Jos as Verstappen’s reputation grows

Jos Verstappen says even he was surprised by his son's charge through the pack to take third place in the Brazilian Grand Prix and feels Max's exploits are a much-needed shot in the arm for Formula One.

Having moved from fourth to second during the opening half of the race which was impaired by consecutive red flags and lengthy safety car periods, Verstappen's Red Bull team made a gamble for intermediate tyres in the hope the track would continue to dry and heap pressure on Mercedes.

As it transpired, a final safety car period plus heavier rain rendered Verstappen's intermediates useless and was forced to pit again for wet tyres which dropped him down to 14th.

Then the Dutch starlet produced his outstanding wet weather racing to scythe through the field to go from 14th to third in the space of 12 laps.

Max's father Jos beamed with pride and admitted even he didn't see the charge coming as the Red Bull driver found extra grip and drive to leave the rest of the field floundering.

"I have never seen something like this. I must say he surprised me today and I have known him for a long time," Jos Verstappen said. "I have seen many races he has done, but today it was incredible.

"He did himself a big pleasure today. Okay they didn't have it right with the strategy and were unlucky with the weather but after what I have seen I think it was worth to have a bad stop. It is good for Formula One. We love it. Everybody is enthusiastic. We want more."

Verstappen picked up comparisons to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher for his wet weather racing from Red Bull boss Christian Horner, while he continued to upset Sebastian Vettel for an aggressive overtake on the Ferrari driver which he viewed as 'not correct'.

The Red Bull driver has moved up to fifth in the F1 drivers' championship and is now only five points behind Vettel going into the season finale in Abu Dhabi. 

Zdroj: crash.net