Max Verstappen pinpoints critical element in 'best' F1 debate

Max Verstappen insists it is "impossible to say" which of his 230 grands prix is his best, after returning to the scene of what is considered his greatest win.

The Dutchman stormed to victory at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix from P17 on the grid in torrential conditions, prevailing against the opposition to put one hand on his fourth F1 drivers' championship.

It is arguably the best of his 68 grand prix triumphs and the finest hour of his F1 career, now into its 11th season.

The Red Bull driver has often shone in dismal conditions at Interlagos, like when he dragged himself onto the podium in 2016, in just his second campaign, from P16 with only 16 laps of the 71-lap race to run.

Ahead of the round in Brazil, the 28-year-old was asked by media, including RacingNews365, how he could top last year's performance.

He replied: "A wet race is always quite challenging, and then around here, it's always quite tough.

"And for sure, it was one of my best races, because it was under a lot of pressure, having to perform, basically.

"So, for sure, I'd rate it as a really good race and one of my best races. It is always impossible to say which one is the best, because it depends on a lot of factors."

All worth the same

In Verstappen's view, any debate over the best race of his F1 career is arbitrary and purely academic, given each and every win is worth the same number of points in the drivers' standings.

Nonetheless, victories are imperative for him now, as he continues to fight Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in pursuit of an against-all-odds fifth-successive F1 drivers' title.

With three rounds to go, he trails the McLaren team-mates by 49 and 25 points, respectively, after the sprint in Brazil.

His poor qualifying in São Paulo this term culminated in a pit lane start, after changes to his RB21, including a brand new power unit.

That was due to his first Q1 elimination since the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, and made his task a formidable challenge — but also provided the opportunity to shine again.

Whilst adverse weather stayed away this year, Verstappen again had to drag his car through the field. He put together a sublime drive to take third place, but could not prevent losing ground to Norris, which will likely prove decisive.

"And honestly, it's not about 'how can I do better than that?' Because at the end of the day, as long as you win, that's the most important," Verstappen added.

"It doesn't matter if you come from the back or from the front, or it's a boring race... I'm here just to try and score the most available points every single weekend."