Verstappen reflects on 'challenging' Sao Paulo GP as he charges from P21 to the podium

Max Verstappen has highlighted how key his first stint was in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as the Dutchman stormed to the podium from the back of the grid, navigating "weird balance" issues along the way.

The four-time World Champion started P21 on the grid for Sunday's 71-lap race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, having had several power unit component changes made on his car that confined him to a back-of-the-grid start.

Over the opening laps on a wet but drying track, Verstappen quickly climbed into the points and was on the fringes of the podium when drivers began to pit for slick tyres.

Through the middle phase of the race Verstappen moved up to second, eventually finishing 14 seconds adrift of race winner and polesitter, Lando Norris, after a late pit stop for intermediate tyres with rain falling again.

"Yeah, it was a challenging race," said Verstappen. "I think the first few laps, of course, were very important.

"I overtook a lot of cars, and actually, that first stint, I think on the intermediates, was really, really strong.

"Unfortunately, after that, I don't know if we picked up some kind of damage because the car felt like the complete opposite to anything that I've felt the whole weekend, with some really weird balance.

"Unfortunately, once I got into P2, I couldn't really make any inroads. So we have to understand what went wrong there. But, I mean, starting P21 and being on the podium in second, I think, is a very good result."

The Interlagos circuit has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Verstappen in recent years, winning the Grand Prix in 2024 from P17 on the grid during a wet affair, while he converted a pit lane start into P3 just 12 months ago.

It proved to be an especially good day for Red Bull, with Isack Hadjar securing a double podium for the team, it's second of the season after the duo achieved the feat in Baku.

Having started P5, the Frenchman climbed up to P2 during the middle part of the race but was told to give the position up for Verstappen after running wide and losing time at Turn 1.

"It was so, so difficult, so challenging, especially switching from the intermediate to the soft tyre, avoiding the traps," said Hadjar.

"It was extremely difficult, especially in the pit lane. You saw how tricky it was to drive, and then more rain at the end.

"So happy to be standing third today. But I need to keep making a bit less mistakes because I could have avoided a little awkward situation with Max.

"So yeah, just want to apologise because I think on that stint I could have kept it a bit more on the track."

Hadjar also had to withstand pressure from Antonelli as rain fell in the closing stages and before drivers pitted for intermediate tyres, with the Red Bull driver admitting he nearly crashed in the pits.

"I was testing the grip for him [Antonelli], basically," said Hadjar. "I could see he was challenging me a lot, and I was on ice, and he was on ice as well, but it was well managed.

"I nearly shunted into my pit crew when boxing, but they did a fantastic job. They kept their calm, and the pit stop was fast. So big thanks to the boys."