Verstappen’s Interlagos past offers hope for recovery from P21

Max Verstappen is set to start Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix from 21st after a grid penalty for replacing engine parts. RacingNews365 journalist Lieke Jacobs sees his Interlagos history as grounds for optimism, while noting that it remains to be seen whether he can repeat a comeback in 2026.

The clearest precedent came in 2024. A red flag prevented Verstappen from completing his quick Q2 run, and he started 17th. In the wet race, he worked through the field, took the lead at the restart on lap 43 and went on to win. In 2025, he started from the pit lane and reached the podium.

Interlagos has produced other striking recoveries. In 2016, Verstappen climbed from fourth to third amid heavy rain, several safety cars and two red flags. In 2018, he started fifth and took the lead before Esteban Ocon hit him while trying to unlap himself; Verstappen fell to second, with victory out of reach.

A pit-lane start is still possible on Sunday if Red Bull makes changes to the RB22 with wet conditions in mind.