SAO PAULO — 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 Paolo 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. They will come back to the track in the afternoon for the sprint race qualifying.
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.
PHOTOS: F1 braces for more Verstappen-Norris drama and Hamilton to drive revered Senna's car
Leclerc, 70 points behind Verstappen, told media on Thursday he was not expecting a leading performance by his team this weekend.
Verstappen said in Mexico that F1 has become over-policed. Upon his arrival in Brazil, he said he didn’t care about critics of his aggressive driving. Though he and Norris claim to have a respectful relationship, another showdown is expected between the two in Sunday’s race. The McLarens are expected to have the upper hand.
Verstappen has won twice at the 84-year-old Interlagos circuit, including last year, when Norris finished second.
Verstappen’s last victory was 10 races ago in Spain in June, after a period of seven wins in the first 10 races.
“We want to do well, but of course it also needs to be possible. We still have a good lead,” Verstappen said. “I just try to enjoy the moment, try to just always optimize the performance.”
The earliest the title could be won by Verstappen is in Las Vegas on Nov. 24. For Norris to have a chance, he will likely have to take the title fight to the December finale in Abu Dhabi.
Norris’ bid is a tough one, and McLaren has a better chance of dethroning Red Bull in the constructors’ championship. Ferrari jumped ahead of Red Bull to second in the standings after Carlos Sainz Jr.’s win in Mexico.
Red Bull, which has won the last two constructors’ titles, is third.
Another challenge that is expected to affect everyone at Interlagos is new asphalt. Drivers of various teams say they are unsure what impact that change will have on their performance.
For the second time in his life, Mercedes’ Hamilton will be on board a McLaren once driven by Senna, who died in 1994 after crashing during the San Marino GP.
Hamilton will steer Senna’s title-winning MP4/5B after Saturday’s sprint race. Weeks ago, Honda and McLaren said they would bring the car that allowed the Brazilian to clinch the 1990 drivers’ championship.
During his time at McLaren, Hamilton drove Senna’s MP4/4 car around Silverstone in 2009 for a British TV program.
“It will be an emotional experience,” Hamilton said in Sao Paulo. He arrived at Interlagos for Thursday’s media day wearing a shirt that read “rest in peace, Ayrton Senna” and pants in the color of the Brazilian flag.
“Every time we come here it’s an opportunity to do that (honor Senna), and I think so many of the drivers also do that,” Hamilton said. “But I never in a million years thought I’d ever get to drive Senna’s car here. I remember someone contacted me, my manager told me about it, and I jumped at the opportunity.”
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