2026 Brazil GP: Verstappen beats Red Bull sim

Max Verstappen rose from 21st to second in Brazil, with Formula1.com and Motorsport.com reporting Red Bull said the result exceeded its simulations.

Max Verstappen finished second after starting 21st in Brazil, a recovery that Formula1.com and Motorsport.com reported Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said went beyond the team’s simulation forecasts. Motorsport.com also reported that Verstappen started near the back after an engine penalty.

Before the race, Motorsport.com reported that Verstappen expected overtaking to be harder than in previous seasons at Interlagos, which added context to his charge through the field. RaceFans reported that Verstappen said he spent much of the race unhappy with the car’s balance.

The result added another podium to Verstappen’s record: the four-time Formula 1 champion now has 129 podiums, along with 71 wins and 51 poles from 242 starts. He is second in the 2026 drivers’ championship on 279 points.