Was Verstappen’s 2024 Brazilian GP victory the best of his F1 career?

“He was in a league of his own.” The words of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner following Max Verstappen’s brilliant Brazilian Grand Prix victory.

In atrocious conditions, Verstappen became only the sixth driver in the 1122 grands prix in F1’s history to win from 17th or lower on the grid. But is it truly his best?

Let’s look at the options.

Spanish Grand Prix 2016

On his debut for Red Bull after being promoted early in the season from Toro Rosso, Verstappen took full advantage of an almighty collision on the first lap between warring Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Holding off a hard-charging Kimi Raikkonen at the death, Verstappen became the youngest to score a podium, youngest race winner and youngest to lead a lap.

United States Grand Prix 2021

A win from pole position, granted, but this one was during an epic season-long duel with Hamilton, and it was the Briton who made a better start, taking the lead through the Esses. Hamilton lost that lead through the pit-stop windows but on fresher tyres hunted down his rival, pulling into DRS range on the final lap, only for the Dutchman to hold on by 1.3s.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021

The most unforgettable and one of the most contentious grand prix in F1 history that needs little explaining as the circumstances are so well documented, with the fight for the title decided on the last lap of the final grand prix of the season. Nicolas Latifi and Michael Masi need no introduction here.

Miami Grand Prix 2022

Verstappen started from ninth on the grid after a crash in qualifying from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc prevented him from setting a time. Instead, it was team-mate Sergio Perez who started from pole. On the opening lap, Verstappen even dropped to 10th behind Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas. What followed was a masterclass in fighting through the field, delivering a vicious blow to Perez late in the race to seal victory.

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024

Again, a win from pole, and like the USGP of 2021, another where Verstappen was under pressure and hunted down in the closing stages, this time by Lando Norris in his McLaren as he slowly reeled in the Dutchman, only to fall short by 0.725s.

São Paulo Grand Prix 2024

A crash late in Q2 by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll denied Verstappen the chance to set a fast lap, and with a five-place penalty for an additional engine change, he started from 17th on the grid. In appalling conditions, Verstappen made up six places on the opening lap, and although a red flag in the race worked to his advantage, he went on to win by a staggering 19.477s.