Verstappen closes in on title after stunning win in Brazilian GP

Sao Paulo: Red Bull's Max Verstappen had his fourth Formula One title within reach after a stunning drive to victory from 17th on the grid in Brazil on Sunday dealt a shattering blow to Lando Norris's hopes.

Norris, who started the wet and chaotic Sao Paulo race on pole position and 44 points behind Verstappen, finished sixth for McLaren.

The title gap blew out to 62 points with three rounds remaining and 86 points still to be won.

If results go his way, Verstappen could hit the championship jackpot in the next race down the floodlit Las Vegas Strip on November 23.

In a crash-strewn race shortened to 69 laps, halted after 33 and re-started, Verstappen took his eighth win of the season -- and one of the best of his career -- by 19.477 seconds and with a bonus point for fastest lap.

"We stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls and stayed calm and we were flying so all of these things together made that result possible," said Verstappen.

"But I mean unbelievable, to win here from so far back on the grid."

Team boss Christian Horner acclaimed a masterclass of a drive from one of the greats, the win stopping the rot at Red Bull and ending a 10-race losing streak for their Dutch driver dating back to Spain in June.

Amid the mayhem at Interlagos, Alpine took an astonishing points bonanza with Esteban Ocon second and Pierre Gasly third -- rocketing the Renault-owned team from ninth to sixth in the standings.

"I don’t think anyone would have got that on their bingo card, it’s just fantastic," said Gasly.

George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fifth.

Yuki Tsunoda was seventh for RB with McLaren's Oscar Piastri eighth after a 10-second penalty, Liam Lawson ninth for RB and Mercedes's seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton 10th.

Verstappen now has 393 points to Norris's 331, with Leclerc on 307.

McLaren lead the constructors' standings with 593 points to Ferrari's 557.