The 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix was a true spectacle, with Max Verstappen dazzling everyone by clinching victory after starting from 17th on the grid.
A performance that certainly didn’t go unnoticed, as it reminds fans why Verstappen is often considered the best driver in wet conditions. Let’s dive into what makes him the undisputed master of rainy races.
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Verstappen: a rain master
Max Verstappen truly put on a masterclass in this race in São Paulo, winning from a starting position far from P1. This is quite rare in F1; only five drivers in Formula 1 history have managed to win a race from 17th place or lower. This performance brings to mind his achievement in 2016 when he finished on the podium after starting from 16th place. Back then, he already showed promising skills in the rain. Looking back, Verstappen realizes that these past experiences prepared him for today’s challenges. In his own words: “This one is definitely much more crucial than back then,” highlighting that he had to approach this race with a more thoughtful strategy, given the stakes in the championship. Just a reminder, Lando Norris still has a chance to win, even though his odds are shrinking with each Grand Prix.
The importance of rain experience
One factor that plays in Verstappen’s favor in the rain is his karting experience, where he often had to deal with wet conditions. “The guys who were good in the wet in karting are also good in Formula 1,” he explains. This is especially true for drivers who grew up in rainy countries, like the British, for example. This early foundation allowed him to learn how to handle cars in challenging conditions. For Verstappen, training in the rain enabled him to develop a confidence and ease on the track that few drivers can match. Paired with the RB20, which remains a solid F1 car, he’s able to feel perfectly comfortable. This translates into an ability to anticipate challenges and quickly react to changing track conditions, adjusting his trajectory as needed.
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Flawless strategy and tyre management
Verstappen’s victory doesn’t rest solely on his driving skills but also on his ability to adapt to delicate situations. During the race, he skillfully took advantage of circumstances, especially during safety car periods and yellow flags, which can change the course of a race in an instant, as we saw with the two Alpine F1 Team drivers. He also showed strategic finesse by making crucial decisions during pit stops, ensuring he had the right tires to maximize grip on the ultra-slippery track. Tire management is essential in F1, especially in the rain, where every second counts. This skill in optimizing his car’s performance under changing conditions was key to his victory, and perhaps even delivered the fatal blow to his rival Lando Norris.
This article explores why Max Verstappen’s is so fast in wet conditions during the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix. We see how his past experiences shaped his approach to racing and how his karting background gave him an edge over the competition.
Images: Red Bull Content pool
