Race-craft in Rain

Formula 1… commonly known as the pinnacle of motorsport! Rightly so because there are only 20 highly skilled pilots who participate in it each year, with brands like Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren build racecars exploring the limits of design and engineering. The racetracks span whole cities across the world, bringing enthusiasts to find joy through sheer speed, and roaring 1000hp V6s.

Sao Paulo, Brazil – offers one of the greatest racetracks in the world! Brazil Grand Prix 2024 came at a challenging moment in the 2024 F1 championship with Norris and Verstappen going head to head for the top podium spot. Lando Norris has the momentum with a faster McLaren backing him while Max Verstappen is trying to maximize his lead in a slower Red Bull. Nature had different plans to clash these titans in a test of skill: enter ‘Rain’!

Rain is the grid equalizer. When it rains, it doesn’t matter anymore if you have the fastest car. Rain is the defining factor between a great driver and a legend! Rain makes or breaks a driver as it pushes the 20 to the limits beyond a car’s ability. Some of the greatest to ever race in this sport have been magical in rain… Hamilton, Vettel, Verstappen and of course Senna.

The way Max Verstappen drove in Brazil 2024 was absolute wizardry behind the wheel. He started from 17th after an unfortunate Qualifying but put himself in 6th when the race wasn’t even a third of the total distance. Racing in the rain with open wheel cars is like dancing on ice; you are always trying to find the grip to stick the car into the asphalt and go full throttle, but slipping is inevitable for most. While the whole grid stuck to the racing line (ideally the most grippy surface), Max just goes round the outside, off the racing line and creates grip wherever he puts his car. When rest of the racers were going off track, into gravel and losing time, Max never put a foot wrong. Flawless driving on a day he needed it most! Advantage: Max Verstappen!

I have pondered for a while now, who is my favorite driver on the grid, now that Vettel is retired. That was answered on Sunday (Nov 3rd 2024). On track or off track, Max is ‘Simply Lovely’!