Fans think Max Verstappen was making a major statement during the Brazil Grand Prix as unheard radio messages from the race emerge.
Verstappen put in one of the greatest wet weather performances the sport has ever seen at Interlagos, as the Dutchman went from 17th to take victory in Brazil.
The result puts Verstappen 62 points ahead of his title rival Lando Norris, who saw himself fall from 1st to 6th during the chaotic race.
Verstappen took the lead from Esteban Ocon following a safety car restart on lap 42, whilst Norris drifted off the road on the very same corner.
Despite the treacherous conditions that saw four drivers fail to finish, Verstappen began to extend his lead at a rapid rate despite anything over a few seconds proving to be a comfortable advantage.
Verstappen finished over 19 seconds ahead of Ocon in second and set 17 fastest laps in the process.
Following the race, Verstappen’s team radio from the later stages of the race have been released and fans are convinced he was trying to make a major statement to the other drivers.
Verstappen was told countless times by his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, to slow down and not take any risks, however, Verstappen chose not to listen.
Find Verstappen’s team radio from the last nine laps below:
Lap 61: “So just keep your braking points safe. Stay away from the white lines and curbs.”
Lap 65: “Gap 15 seconds Max, so no risk from him [Ocon]”
Lap 66: “No risks Max”
Lap 68: “Okay two laps remaining Max, two laps. Back it off.”
Lap 68: “Gap is 18.2.”
As the race headed into its final lap, Verstappen calmly responded to his race engineer: “Yeah, yeah I’ll chill now.”
Verstappen’s win in Brazil was his first in ten races when he triumphed in Spain and has even been hailed as the GOAT of the sport by one F1 driver following the race.
Following the race, Verstappen talked his race through to reporters.
“I was just very motivated to get a good race and just let the race pan out and see what happens,” he said.
“Because in a wet race, always some crazy things can happen.
Max Verstappen- Getty
“But soon, I was passing a few cars, and I had always one lap or two laps of free air. I was always the fastest on the track.
“So, I knew that, ‘OK, we are quick. I just need to try and pass the guys to try and have a run to the front’.
“I felt comfortable in the car. I feel comfortable in the wet anyway, but then when the car is also performing, it just doubles up and you can really pick up the pace,” he added.