Max Verstappen couldn't have asked for a much more emphatic way to end Formula 1's four-month winning drought than his outstanding victory drive at a wet Brazilian Grand Prix.

And the fact that his nearest point challenger, Lando Norris, moved from pole to sixth place – although he is still under investigation – surely means the title fight is no longer there.

How did their performances at Interlagos compare? Was this proof that the 2024 F1 title goes to the driver it always should have gone to?

This is what our team did with it:

Verstappen made his rivals look a class worse

Matt Beer

You may find some of Max Verstappen's wheel-to-wheel racing a bit exaggerated. You may find it more petty and frustrating than technically fascinating to point fingers at whose wings do or don't bend in which way, or who does what with water and tires. You may be completely fed up with polarized fan bases seeing conspiracy theories in the investigation results or race control decisions of all sports stewards.

But you can't argue with the fact that an all-time great Formula 1 driver makes almost everyone else (particularly his title rivals) look like they're a class below him, with a beautifully scored drive from 17th on the grid to a dominant one first place The track conditions range from terrible to miserable.

A welcome reminder that F1 2024 is aiming for its rightful driver champion, and a very satisfying way to cut through the recent noise.

A masterclass in wet driving

Gary Anderson

They say wet conditions are a great equalizer to a car's performance. Personally, I'm not so sure, but it allows talent to shine and anyone who got through this race without making a mistake deserves a pat on the back.

Verstappen was exceptional from the start, but over the last 20 laps or so it was a masterclass in wet weather driving: he simply hammered out fastest lap after fastest lap. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also drove brilliantly and stayed out of any trouble. All three benefited from being able to fit new tires under the red flag, while others had already lost their position on the track when they pitted.

George Russell and Charles Leclerc were mediocre, but I fear Lando Norris failed to live up to his dry performances and was therefore disappointing.

If Verstappen doesn't slip on a banana peel then I think he has just secured his fourth world title.

Norris still has a long way to go

Jack Benyon

Lando Norris made two unforced errors in the race, but they alone cannot be seen as the reason that cost him the Drivers' Championship, as there were quite a few things in his season that could be described as such.

No matter who your favorite is, to boil it down to the basics: Verstappen has been the better driver this year, has made far fewer mistakes in the Brazilian GP and in general, and has consistently gone beyond what his car was capable of his supposed to excel – especially when the odds were against him.

The victory in this race from 17th place on the grid means the end of the fight for the drivers' title and is rightly deserved. Norris still has a long way to go to reach that level. And not even reaching this level, but finding it just as consistent as Verstappen.

Can you imagine where Verstappen would be if you had given him the McLaren from Miami? Much further ahead, I would bet.