Verstappen Wins Brazilian Grand Prix to Extend Lead over Norris

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium of the Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix, at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, aka Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP)
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium of the Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix, at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, aka Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP)
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Verstappen Wins Brazilian Grand Prix to Extend Lead over Norris

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium of the Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix, at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, aka Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP)
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates at the podium of the Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix, at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, aka Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, despite starting 17th, and increasing his lead over McLaren's Lando Norris with three more races remaining.

Verstappen overcame punishments before the race as well as the wet weather at Interlagos to earn his first victory since June, and his eighth Grand Prix win of the year. He also clocked the fastest lap of the race, which gives him an extra point.

The Dutchman increased his lead from 44 points to 62 over Norris, who finished sixth.
The two Alpine drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, completed the podium.



Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.

"It's true - I expressed frustration in a way I'm not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground," Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.

"I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.

"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgements."

Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical," Swiatek said.

"That's not a healthy standard - especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court."