Verstappen praised for podium charge from 21st at Sao Paulo

James Hinchcliffe has described Max Verstappen's drive from 21st on the grid to second place at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as outrageous, calling the Red Bull driver a savage competitor. Verstappen took an engine-related grid penalty for exceeding his season's power unit component allocation, and finished 14.602 seconds behind race winner Lando Norris, who had started from pole position despite a wheelspin issue off the line.

Hinchcliffe, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, noted that this was the third consecutive year Verstappen had started from the teens, pit lane or the 20s at Interlagos and finished on the podium each time. He said it was remarkable what Verstappen had achieved at the track in that time.

Verstappen suggested after the race that he could have closed in further on Norris without the penalty. Hinchcliffe said this was a deliberate move to unsettle his rival, while adding that Verstappen would likely examine the car for any faults.