Hezemans links Verstappen’s feel for grip to Brazil wet-weather charge

A grid penalty put Max Verstappen 21st on the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix grid. He climbed to second in the rain, and Mike Hezemans says his feel for grip helps explain the recovery.

The charge began with several overtakes in the opening laps; Verstappen then held his ground through the rest of the race.

Speaking on RacingNews365’s post-race podcast, Hezemans said Verstappen senses grip better than other drivers. If the steering remains slightly turned as a driver applies throttle on a low-grip surface, Hezemans explained, the car can rotate more readily and require a correction. Getting the car straight before accelerating is part of what Verstappen does so well, in Hezemans’s view. He said this also helps explain why other drivers trying to follow Verstappen in the wet could end up on the grass or in the barriers.

Hezemans also doubted that a front-row start would have put Verstappen in control of the race. He said the car still had problems in the second stint and that Hadjar was faster on slicks. Tim Coronel said Verstappen’s earlier pit stop put the pair on different strategies, with Hadjar then nine seconds behind.