Verstappen vows Red Bull “bounce back” from tough Brazil defeat to Hamilton

Max Verstappen has vowed he and Red Bull will “bounce back” following a damaging defeat to F1 title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in the São Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton started 10th on the grid following an engine penalty but was able to fight through the field and eventually overtake Verstappen on lap 59 of 71 to reduce the championship gap to 14 points to the Dutch driver.

Verstappen said: “We tried everything we could today, of course. It was a good battle but at the end we just missed a little bit of pace, we gave it all today and it was a lot of fun.”

Verstappen ready to fight back

At one stage, Verstappen forced Hamilton off track on lap 48 as the Briton attempted a move for the lead but the stewards decided not to investigate.

Hamilton had to wait another 11 laps for a second bite of the cherry which he duly took to win the race by 10.496secs.

Although Red Bull was tipped to be the better team heading into the race, the ICE change for Hamilton proved crucial courtesy of the additional power.

Verstappen, though, is still ahead in the drivers' standings and is confident he can keep it that way going into the final three races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen added: “We still have a good points lead.

"Today was a bit of damage limitation on a weekend that it was a bit difficult for us but I am confident that in the next races we will bounce back.”

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