Max Verstappen crowned Driver of the Day after stellar podium finish in São Paulo

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was voted Driver of the Day for the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, according to an official announcement on Formula1.com. The Dutchman’s performance on the 20‑lap sprint and the main race saw him climb from a mid‑grid start to a podium finish, impressing fans worldwide and securing the fan‑vote accolade.

Verstappen qualified eighth on the grid after a mixed qualifying session, but he quickly turned the tide in the sprint race, overtaking several rivals and finishing fourth. In the main Grand Prix, a well‑timed pit strategy and a flawless tyre management stint allowed him to surge past the front‑row starters. He crossed the line in third place behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell, delivering Red Bull a valuable points haul in a race that featured several on‑track incidents and safety‑car periods.

The Driver of the Day award is decided by a fan poll that runs on the official Formula 1 app and website. Verstappen’s aggressive yet controlled driving style, combined with his ability to extract maximum performance from the RB19 on a street circuit, resonated with the global audience. The vote tally, released by Formula 1, showed Verstappen receiving a clear majority of the votes, outpacing his nearest competitors, including Leclerc and Russell.

For Indian fans: The São Paulo Grand Prix was broadcast live on FanCode with Indian Standard Time (IST) coverage starting at 02:30 am on Sunday, 9 November. The Driver of the Day poll was also available on the Formula 1 app, which Indian viewers can download for free. Those who voted for Verstappen can expect a special badge on their profile, and the result will be highlighted in the post‑race analysis on FanCode’s F1 studio later in the day.

Source: Formula1.com