Former chief executive of Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone has made his feelings clear on Max Verstappen’s stunning win at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
On Sunday, Verstappen produced one of the best performances in F1 history as he went from 17th place to win at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace.
The race was badly hampered by heavy rain and low visibility but the Red Bull superstar proved too fast and too good for the rest of the grid as he finished more than 19 seconds ahead of second placed Esteban Ocon.
After the race, Lando Norris received heavy criticism for his comments about Verstappen’s win.
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The McLaren driver said: “That’s life sometimes. you take a gamble (waiting for a red flag for a ‘free pitstop’), it’s paid off for them. it’s not talent, it’s just luck”
Speaking about Verstappen’s victory, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealed what Ecclestone told him during a phone call.
He said: “Bernie rang me after the race and said, 'I've seen all the greats; and that's one of the very best I've ever seen'. He's a bit older than I am and seen a bit more, so high credit from someone like him.”
Horner than compared Verstappen’s first lap to F1 legend Ayrton Senna’s famous start at Donnington Park back in 1993.
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He added: “Today was an emotional rollercoaster because we knew we had a good car.
“Max's mental strength and attitude to deal with that is outstanding, and I thought his start today was electric.”
Horner continued: “That first lap was up there with Donington '93, around the outside of Turn 3. I think he passed six cars on the first lap. Then he was the only car that was really making progress, being able to pick cars off - and so late on the brakes into Turn 1.
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“Whether it was with Lewis, with Oscar Piastri, and then obviously at the restart with Esteban. And then he just controlled the race and pulled away with ease, at sometimes one second per lap. So, on a pretty dreary day, he shone pretty brightly today.”
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Red Bull Racing, McLaren
Marcus Chan