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F1 Brazilian GP: Verstappen stuns with 14th to 3rd charge in 12 laps

Max Verstappen is celebrating after producing what many are calling 'the drive of the 2016 season' following a sensational charge from 14th to the podium in the final 15 laps of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

On an eventful day for the Red Bull Racing driver, Verstappen began fourth but displayed superb wet weather form from the start, running third initially before climbing to second at the expense of Nico Rosberg on lap 31 immediately after the second restart following three lengthy safety car periods and two consecutive red flags.

When even a dramatic high-speed half-spin on the home straight couldn't halt his charge as he kept it out of the wall and retained his second place, his efforts seemed to have been undone by an erroneous strategy by Red Bull to put him on intermediate tyres on lap 43.

With the safety car back out on lap 48, rain began to intensify slightly again, rendering the intermediate tyres of little use in the conditions and forcing Verstappen back in for wets.

Dropping him to 14th, what followed was an extraordinary display of wet weather driving as he scythed up the order, at times passing one car per lap at unusual points on the circuit - including his own team-mate Daniel Ricciardo - to quickly clamber his way into the top six.

Passing Ferrari foe Sebastian Vettel at Juncao - prompting the German to complain on the radio -, Verstappen's charge took him all the way to third place by lap 68, three laps before the chequered flag.

"It was an incredible race of course with the red flags. Difficult conditions, especially the last straight - really, really slippery and in the final re-start I managed to over-take Nico and I was in quite a comfortable position. Then I had a massive moment. Maybe I clipped a bit the kerb and locked all four wheels. I managed to keep it out of the guard rails and continue still in second.

"Then we decided to pit for intermediates, but unfortunately it started to rain afterwards and it didn't work out. But then after that I was 14th in the wet and then some great overtakes afterwards to come back onto the podium is of course amazing."

Zdroj: crash.net