Max Verstappen’s incredible win at the Brazil Grand Prix was singled out for praise by Formula 1’s multiple world champions, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen underlined his credentials as a master of the rain in Sao Paulo, winning from 17th on the grid in changing conditions.
The victory moved the Dutchman to the brink of a fourth straight world championship.
Hamilton and Verstappen had a contentious rivalry three years ago, colliding on track three times. But. the Brit was quick to praise his title rival from 2021 for his performance in Sao Paulo.
“Amazing drive, congrats,” Hamilton wrote on social media, along with a fist-bump emoji.
Verstappen looks set to join Hamilton in an exclusive club of drivers to have won four championships. The others are Michael Schumacher (who went on to win seven), Juan Manuel Fangio (who went on to win five), Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost.
Alonso also singled Verstappen out for praise after the race with a near-identical message to Hamilton.
The Spaniard, who won world titles in 2005 and 2006, wrote: “Fantastic drive, congrats.”
Verstappen’s performance earned plaudits across the paddock.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said: “We knew the Red Bull would be good today, but honestly I think today it was more Max that made the difference than the car.”
“I think in those conditions the drivers’ skill really comes to a fore and he was in a league of his own,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports.
“As a team we got all the cars right and the car had great pace. An outstanding drive, to come from 17th, this morning it felt everything had gone against us but he turned it around. It was an incredible performance from him, one of his very best.”