Norris takes a dip and Verstappen feasts at Interlagos

Several years ago, before the Emirates countries landed in the Formula 1 World Cup with loads of millions, it was common for the season to end in Interlagos, where historic outcomes have been experienced. Like the one that crowned Kimi Raikkonen, in 2007, or the one the following year, which offered those dramatic scenes inside the Ferrari workshop, in which Felipe Massa's family went from the most unbridled joy to the most unimaginable disappointment, upon verifying that the title was finally for Lewis Hamilton. This season, everything was decided in favor of Kimi Antonelli since last week, in Mexico, but Interlagos, both due to its profile and the meteorology of the Sao Paolo area, always has something good to offer.

Like the solvency of Lando Norris, the outgoing champion, who had a blast and was the one who best knew how to navigate on a track that the water turned into wet glass. Or the brutal comeback of Max Verstappen, a driver who should be forced to start from the catacombs of the grid in each race, to be able to enjoy it completely unleashed, as was seen this Sunday. In a test that the capricious rain turned into a true street runner, the best took a step forward thanks to their hands, to overcome the limitations of their cars. For example, one of the best versions of Fernando Alonso (11th) was seen, although not even the skill of Carlos Sainz (19th) could beat a Williams that is not there at all.

Despite getting stuck at the start, Norris and McLaren went from less to more and got everything right. In the change of type of tires as the track dried; and when choosing the moment to tighten, and also when to temporize. In short, a perfect combination of someone who started with almost everything to lose - he achieved pole position - and who defended himself wonderfully. This is the third victory for Norris, who has not won since the end of August (Netherlands), and who will probably have a hard time repeating it in the last three stops on the calendar, in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The two Red Bulls accompanied him on the podium, with Verstappen in a stellar plan, and with Isack Hadjar (third), much closer to Mad Max than the Hasselt rider's last teammates had been.

Verstappen is another story. The four crowns that appear on his service record are still far from the seven of Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Despite this, there are many who sit Red Bull at the same table as the British and the German. And they argue it based on performances like this Sunday, in which they were second to last and crossed the finish line second, after taking down 11 rivals in the first two laps. In situations that make anyone shiver, he handles himself like no one else, aware of being a level or two above, both in his hands and in his head. This year, the flagship of the red buffalo brand has not had the option to fight for the title due to the race taken by Mercedes, who best interpreted the regulations. The initial push gave the star's factory enough air that has allowed it to regulate later, elevating Antonelli with four grand prizes of margin, and celebrating the winding of constructors in Brazil, despite not placing any of its drivers on the podium.