Mercedes straight line pace thwarts Verstappen in São Paulo sprint
Verstappen finished second after starting the sprint at the front
Max Verstappen conceded Mercedes' straight-line pace made it 'impossible' to launch an attack on Valtteri Bottas in the São Paulo Grand Prix sprint.
After starting from the front of the grid, Verstappen dropped immediately behind Mercedes' Bottas and despite running conflicting tyre strategies, the Dutchman was unable ever to mount a challenge to retake the lead.
With title rival Lewis Hamilton relegated to the rear of the grid due to a technical infringement, Verstappen extended his points lead to 21 despite the seven-time champion's stunning recovery to fifth.
“They are fast on the straight so you need a really good last corner to be able to pass but today it wasn’t possible," said Verstappen. "We will try again tomorrow.”
Red Bull started with both Verstappen and Sergio Perez on the medium compound tyre, a strategy matched by the hard-charging Hamilton but different to Bottas who fitted softs.
The Finn used this advantage to jump Verstappen on the short run to the first corner with Carlos Sainz also finding a way past.
“My start wasn’t the best," conceded Verstappen. "Of course, we were on the harder compound so that also didn’t help especially to put the energy in around here. It wasn’t the easiest.
“But nevertheless, I think the pace is quite good. It’s just around here once you close up you can’t really pass.”
Related
More F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Max Verstappen
F1 star claims Max Verstappen should be banned from the Nurburgring
Miami Grand Prix
F1 Schedule: Miami Grand Prix times and running order with Hamildashian on the menu
Max Verstappen
The glaringly obvious reason why everyone should listen to Max Verstappen's F1 criticism
F1 News & Gossip
Christian Horner spotted with Honda F1 chief as Aston Martin rumours swirl
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page