Verstappen finishes second at Brazilian Grand Prix despite car issues

Max Verstappen climbed from 21st on the grid to secure a podium finish at the rain-affected Brazilian Grand Prix. The Dutch driver finished second, marking his eighth consecutive podium result in Formula One. Both he and team mate Isack Hadjar returned with points, ensuring Red Bull secured strong results despite significant mechanical difficulties during the event.

A disastrous driving experience

Verstappen expressed deep frustration with his car’s balance, telling his team via radio that he "did 85% of the race with a f***ed car." He described the handling as a disaster, noting that he had never experienced such poor performance in either wet or dry conditions. The driver stated that while finishing P2 is nice, achieving it under those specific circumstances was unacceptable. His comments highlight the severity of the issues faced by several drivers who reported severe handling problems immediately after making pit stops during the race.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies sympathized with the criticism while praising the effort required to maintain position. Mekies acknowledged that Verstappen fought with the car all the way through the event. He confirmed that the team would investigate the root cause of the instability to prevent recurrence in future races. The team leader emphasized that securing points in tricky conditions remains important for the championship standings.

Team response and context

The incident occurred during a race where multiple drivers were mystified by their cars’ behavior in the rain. Both Mercedes drivers also reported severe handling issues right after their pit stops, suggesting broader aerodynamic challenges in these specific weather conditions. Verstappen congratulated his team on a good effort following the dual podium finish for the Red Bull pair. The consistent performance continues despite the clear dissatisfaction with the current package’s stability.

Mekies assured Verstappen that they understood the situation and would get to the bottom of it. The driver’s raw reaction stands out as one of the most blunt complaints heard recently from a top-tier competitor. This episode underscores the ongoing struggle to manage car setup in variable weather across the paddock. The team now faces the task of diagnosing why the balance deteriorated so significantly for such a large portion of the distance.