It's all he knows. Max Verstappen achieved his third podium from the back of the grid in three races in Brazil.

This time he managed a second from a 20th starting spot, after winning from 17th in 2024 and grabbing a podium from the pitlane last year.

Norris took the win, Lewis Hamilton was god-like for one lap, but this was Verstappen’s day.

2026 Sau Paolo GP - F1 drivers ratings

1 - Lando Norris: 9/10

Class of the field - apart from Milton Keynes's Flying Dutchman.

2. Max Verstappen: 10/10

Treacherous conditions on one of F1’s most fearsome tracks? No problem for Verstappen, as usual.

3. Isack Hadjar: 9/10

His best ever race in F1. Probably still complaining about something on team radio though.

4. George Russell: 7/10

Would have scored higher but for that indignant spin in the pitlane - summed up his season.

5. Kimi Antonelli: 7/10

He’s all action. Takes the lead, spins off, wrestles his car to fifth.

6. Oscar Piastri: 7:10

Sad state of affairs that this has been one of his better 2026 results. Nowhere near his teammate Lando though.

7. Liam Lawson: 8/10

Yet again dragging his Racing Bulls car to where it shouldn’t be for most of the race, but had to settle for eighth against faster car.

8. Charles Leclerc: 5/10

Was anonymous most of the race, came back into it at the end through strategy.

9. Lewis Hamilton: 5/10

His bad race more a reflection on his team than Hamilton - his opening lap of 20th-9th was vintage stuff from F1’s most successful driver.

10. Nico Hulkenberg: 8/10

The Hulk loves this track. Took his first pole here in a rubbish Williams in 2010, fought for the win here in a mediocre Force India in 2012, then takes an Audi to tenth in 2026.

11. Arvid Lindblad: 7/10

18th to 11th in his celebratory Diwali crash helmet. Good work.

12. Fernando Alonso: 9/10

Wrestled one the worst cars ever produced by the factory that built Jordan/Force India/Aston Martin cars to 12th. Incredible.

13. Franco Colapinto: 5/10

Disappointing ‘home’ South American race for Argentinian Colapinto.

14. Pierre Gasly: 4/10

Rare non-performance from Gasly, Alpine just didn’t look at it in Brazil.

15. Alexander Albon: 7/10

Says a lot that 15th represents a decent result for Albon and Williams at the moment.

16. Gabriel Bortoleto: 4/10

Would have hoped for a lot more on his second home race.

17. Oliver Bearman: 3/10

Yet another race where the Brit drags the car forward in the early stages, before the failings of his Haas car pull him back.

18. Sergio Perez: 8/10

Mixed it with much faster cars for a lot of the race.

19. Carlos Sainz: 3/10

Sheer misery for Sainz and co.

20. Rafael Camara: 2/10

Tough debut for a seriously promising rookie.

21. Lance Stroll: 0/10

Might never get back to his 1/10 from last week.

22. Valtteri Bottas: 0/10

Stood on the grid, hands on hips, while his team couldn’t get a stuck wheel nut off. Says it all really.