The four-time world champion is chasing a 3rd consecutive victory at Interlagos
BRAZIL:
Max Verstappen could also be 36 factors off title chief Lando Norris however he would be the man to beat this weekend as he seeks to finish a hat-trick of Interlagos victories.
The 28-year-old four-time world champion has received the Sao Paulo Grand Prix 3 times for Pink Bull – in 2019, 2023 and 2024.
Final 12 months he triumphed from seventeenth on the grid with a virtuoso drive in heavy rain as Norris, in search of to chop the Dutchman’s lead, completed sixth.
This time, it’s the champion who’s looking down the McLaren males who head the title race.
Norris leads teammate Oscar Piastri by one level after his Mexican win, however with 4 race weekends remaining, it seems Verstappen is on a roll.
Three wins and 6 consecutive podium finishes have lifted him again into rivalry after being 104 factors behind on the finish of August and, as he has admitted, he likes to race in Brazil.
“It’s a particular place for me,” he stated.
“Not solely due to the unbelievable races and nice moments that we now have had there, but in addition as a result of my ‘family-in-laws’ are from Brazil.
“It might rain closely so you may have loopy races like final 12 months which was emotional and crucial within the championship.”
Verstappen’s accomplice Kelly Piquet is the daughter of three-time champion Nelson Piquet and mom of his daughter Lily born in Could this 12 months.
He has been staying with the household in Brazil forward of this weekend’s race.
“I’ll put on my particular Brazil helmet for this race,” stated Verstappen.
“It is a spot that has loads of historical past and an important legacy and holds so many nice recollections for me. And I at all times love racing at such an ‘old style’ monitor.”
Victory in Mexico was a lift for Norris, whose finest Brazil end result was second two years in the past, whereas Piastri, struggling to get well his earlier vim and consistency, was a private finest eighth final 12 months.
As Pink Bull proceed to develop their 2025 automobile, McLaren have turned their consideration to subsequent 12 months’s new guidelines, apparently permitting others to steal the initiative – till Norris responded in emphatic model.
Group chief Andrea Stella stated after the 25-year-old Briton’s win that he believed each McLaren drivers had causes to be assured forward of the ultimate 4 race weekends with sprints included in Brazil and Qatar.
Late risk
“We go into these races with extra understanding of tips on how to extract efficiency from our automobile persistently as a result of over the 4 races earlier than Mexico we left some efficiency within the storage,” he stated.
Having struggled in low-grip circumstances, Piastri has labored to adapt his model and felt after Mexico that he was in a greater place than many observers believed, even when Norris has reeled off 5 successes in opposition to him of their intra-team duel.
“Within the remaining 4 races, I believe there isn’t any cause to consider that one monitor might favour one driver or the opposite,” added Stella, conscious additionally of the mounting late risk from not solely Verstappen, but in addition Ferrari and Mercedes as three groups scrap for second place within the constructors’ championship.
McLaren wrapped up their second title a number of weeks in the past and arrive in Brazil on 713 factors, however behind them Ferrari on 356 lead Mercedes on 355 and Pink Bull on 346.
“We have had a few powerful weekends, however we’re nonetheless within the battle for P2,” stated Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
“Our benefit over our rivals disappeared throughout Austin and Mexico, however we will strike again in Brazil.”
Mercedes’ George Russell received in Brazil in 2022 whereas Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has additionally revelled in some thrilling triumphs at Interlagos in 2016, 2018 and 2021 whereas driving for Mercedes.
Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc, who introduced his engagement to Alexandra Saint Mleux final week, had been quick in Mexico the place Leclerc completed second and they’ll goal one other robust exhibiting.
With rain forecast, a wild and highly-competitive weekend’s motion is in prospect at a circuit that tends to provide sudden outcomes and far drama.
