Max Verstappen dashed Lando Norris’s hopes of a world championship with his dramatic victory in the rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix, extending his lead over Norris to 62 points with just 86 still up for grabs. After starting 17th on the grid, Verstappen’s impressive win put him in a commanding position to secure another title.

Following the race, Verstappen vented his frustration during the mandatory press conference, particularly with recent comments from Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert. Hill, the 1996 World Champion, had mocked Verstappen by calling him “Dick Dastardly” from *Wacky Races*, while Herbert, a former driver and current FIA steward, criticized Verstappen’s “horrible mindset” while racing. While Herbert did acknowledge Verstappen’s exceptional skill, the Dutchman felt targeted by his remarks, especially after Verstappen received two 10-second penalties in Mexico while Herbert was serving as a steward.

During the press conference, Verstappen quipped about the absence of British journalists, asking, “I don’t see any British press!” Pierre Gasly, who finished third, chuckled at the comment, agreeing with Verstappen’s observation.

Verstappen had previously voiced concerns about the dominant influence of British media in F1, claiming that 80 to 85 percent of the press is British, which often leads to a bias toward national drivers. He noted that, in incidents involving British drivers, the media often sides with their countryman.

As for Norris, who made several mistakes during the race, including losing the lead from pole and running off track twice, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella defended his driver. Stella explained that the errors could be attributed to the car’s issues, not Norris’s driving, and reiterated that the team’s priority was the constructors’ championship. Despite the setback, Stella emphasized that McLaren was still mathematically in the fight for the drivers’ title and would continue to push in the remaining races.