Sao Paulo, Nov 2: Max Verstappen suggests he won’t change his aggressive driving this weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix as he bids for a fourth successive Formula 1 title.
Lando Norris needs a win at Interlagos in Sao Paulo to maintain any realistic title hopes.
New elements could spice up the clash between the drivers, who have received penalties in the past two races in Austin, Texas and Mexico for their boldness on the track. Interlagos has a new tarmac, rain is expected all weekend, and Verstappen received a five-place penalty on the grid after he and Red Bull decided to use a new engine.
Friday’s free practice was not a good omen for Verstappen; he finished 15th, more than one second behind Norris, who clocked the best lap in his McLaren. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who also has a shot at the title, was sixth.
The sprint race qualifier in the afternoon was better for Verstappen; he was fourth but almost one second behind leader and Norris teammate Oscar Piastri. Norris was second.
Saturday will feature the penultimate sprint race of the season and a tribute to three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, who died 30 years ago. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton will drive a McLaren once steered by Senna in front of 60,000 fans.
Norris closed the gap on Verstappen to 47 points in Mexico after a furious encounter that caused penalties to the Dutchman amounting to 20 seconds. The British driver was penalized in the previous race at the U.S. Grand Prix as he battled the defending champion.
Leclerc, 70 points behind Verstappen, told media on Thursday he was not expecting a leading performance by his team this weekend.
The Monegasque driver also had to face the stewards in Brazil for swearing in a press conference after the Mexican GP last weekend. He was fined 10,000 euros (almost $11,000), of which half is suspended as long as there is no further breach of a similar nature within the next 12 months.
“During the hearing Leclerc expressed his regret for his momentary lack of judgment and shared that he understood his responsibility as a role model for the sport,” the stewards’ decision said.
Verstappen was punished with one day of community service for the same reason during the Singapore GP. (AP)
