The reigning Formula One world champion was in unfamiliar territory: Starting seventeenth on the grid, with only two cars behind him (and one in the pit lane), and his title rival, Lando Norris, way, way ahead of him on pole position.

Lando Norris insists Max Verstappen “got lucky” after the Dutchman claimed a sensational win at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. Norris, who started on pole position, lost the lead at the start to George Russell with both British drivers dropping places after pitting just before a red flag.

SAO PAULO — Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight Formula 1 title by winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday despite starting 17th, with the victory increasing his lead over McLaren's Lando Norris with three GP races remaining on the 2024 schedule for the international open-wheel circuit.