PADDOCK INSIDER: Verstappen’s Interlagos prowess could be what he needs to keep his remarkable title bid alive

Interlagos has a special place in Max Verstappen's heart as it is the scene of two of his greatest ever drives. As a result, the iconic venue – with its narrow, sweeping, undulating layout – is his ideal host venue for the next chapter in this year's enthralling fight for the Drivers' Championship.

In 2016, the four-time World Champion dropped to 14th after pitting for wet tyres (in what was his fifth stop of the race) before delivering a mesmerising surge through the field, picking off 11 places in 16 laps to take third.

Then last year, he recovered from 17th on the grid – the Red Bull racer unable to complete his lap in Qualifying because of a red flag – to take a sensational win in the wet. While a red flag benefitted him on Sunday, when it gave him the chance to snatch a free tyre change to haul him into contention, his pace was clear as he set the fastest lap of the race by 1.045s.