Karun Chandhok makes Ayrton Senna comparison after Max Verstappen ‘masterclass’ in Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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Max Verstappen dominated the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after climbing up from 17th on the grid to take the victory.

Verstappen was fighting back after getting caught out by a red flag during qualifying earlier in the day, which put him down in P17 on the grid with his engine penalty.

The Dutchman had managed to overtake six cars on the opening lap of the race, including three at the second corner.

After staying out midway through the race when everyone else pitted, he managed to take the lead from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon following a red flag and win the race by 19 seconds.

Karun Chandhok called his driver a ‘masterclass’ and compared it to Ayrton Senna in a post on social media website X (formerly Twitter).

Karun Chandhok makes Ayrton Senna comparison to Max Verstappen

Verstappen was unstoppable at the end of the race, with Ocon unable to close the gap in the final 20 laps of the race.

Chandhok compared his performance to Senna’s win at Donnington in 1993, when the Brazilian won the race by over a minute from Damon Hill and managed to lap the rest of the field.

“That was an absolute Max Verstappen masterclass…. 17th to first and then winning by 19 seconds on a day when everyone else struggled to overtake or stay on track,” said Chandhok.

“Reminded me of Senna at Donington 1993 walking on water.”

Max Verstappen reveals ’emotions’ after ‘rollercoaster’ Sao Paulo GP victory

It would have been easy for Verstappen to admit defeat after qualifying towards the back of the grid and only target points.

He managed to gain 11 places in the first 11 laps and put himself in the position to take the lead with his strategic calls, with him ultimately telling his team as the rain increased to stay out while leaders Lando Norris and George Russell pitted.

Verstappen said after the race that he faced a lot of ’emotions’ after getting unlucky during qualifying and did not expect to win from that far back on the grid.

His victory puts him 62 points ahead of title rival Norris heading into the final three races of the 2024 season.