Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle has hailed Max Verstappen's "drive for the ages" at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver managed to turn around what started as a tricky weekend into a podium finish in the grand prix. While he converted a sixth-place start to a fourth-place finish in the sprint race, he struggled during grand prix qualifying, which left him with the 16th fastest time. As a result, the Milton Keynes outfit decided to make changes under parc ferme.
After starting the grand prix from the pitlane, he made his way through the pack and secured a third-place finish behind race winner Lando Norris and Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Reflecting on the race, Brundle branded Verstappen's performance as "one of the all-time great drives".
"Verstappen had started from the pitlane because his car looked so dismal in qualifying it was better to try something different on the set up and fit a new power unit rather than being stuck 16th on the grid with a package known to be off the pace," the former driver wrote in a Sky Sports column.
"And so began one of the all-time great drives through a closely-matched pack in what would be entirely dry conditions."
He later added: "It was a drive for the ages, and not because it was wet or that he aced a red flag-free tyre change in a similarly mesmerising drive at this track last year, but on sheer pace through the most competitive field in F1 history."
Verstappen discussed the turnaround in performance during the post-race press conference.
"Yeah, I think the race was quite full on – a lot of action," he said. "I had to overtake some cars, of course, coming from the pitlane. And I think our pace was quite strong over all the stints, of course sometimes it’s a bit difficult to know fully with traffic and stuff.
"But yeah, I mean, to be on the podium from the pitlane, I didn’t expect that at all – even with a puncture as well in the beginning of the race, that’s why we had to box again. So yeah, incredible result for us.
"Very happy with that and just very proud of everyone within the team as well. I mean, yesterday was very tough for us, but, you know, we never give up. We always try to improve and try to find more lap time. And luckily, we found that again today."
Verstappen is still in the fight for the drivers' championship. With three rounds remaining of the 2025 season, he sits third behind McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While Norris leads Piastri by 24 points, Verstappen is trailing the latter by 25 points.
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