Anticipated Rivals to Eye at the São Paulo F1 Grand Prix
This weekend's Formula 1 Grand Prix unfolds at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, popularly known as Interlagos, in São Paulo. The circuit's layout poses a significant challenge, as teams must balance low drag for the long straights in the first and third sectors with high downforce for the twisty middle sector. The unpredictable weather—rain is on the horizon—and the high likelihood of a safety car further complicate the contest.
Five drivers are primed for podium finishes in the impending Sprint weekend, demonstrating exceptional form.
Max Verstappen, the 2023 world champion, hasn't triumphed at Interlagos since 2019. Yet, Verstappen is confident and aims to notch his 17th win of the season. In a press conference, he admitted, "There is a lot of high degree here, and the way you have to set up the car, a lot of low-speed corners - I don't think our car is particularly amazing in the low-speed corners, so I'll guess we will find out."
Lando Norris, McLaren's driver, delivered a stellar performance at the Mexico City GP, climbing from 17th to 5th. He finished 7th at Interlagos in 2022 and banked on McLaren's prowess to boost his chances this weekend. The likelihood of rain in São Paulo may even advantage McLaren, potentially outmaneuvering favorites like Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, has a special connection with Brazil. He was awarded honorary citizenship in 2022 and has clinched the race on three occasions. The Mercedes driver secured second place in Mexico City last week and expressed optimism about the W14's performance. "We will look to arrive in Interlagos with a solid baseline to work with, and we'll see what we can do from there," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
Daniel Ricciardo made his return to racing three weeks ago in Austin after sustaining a broken hand at the Dutch GP. His performance in the Circuit of the Americas was subpar, but his experience should shine in Mexico City. He secured seventh place after qualifying fourth, and it will be intriguing to observe if Ricciardo delivers a creditable showing at Interlagos.
Nico Hulkenberg was unfortunate to lose points in Mexico City due to heavy tyre degradation. However, the heavily updated Haas demonstrated it has the potential to compete with midfield teams. Hulkenberg is a strong candidate to score points this weekend, particularly because of his skill in wet conditions, making him a dark horse in the Sprint.
Betting enthusiasts might predict a close race between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, given their past successes and current form at Interlagos. Lando Norris' performance in low-speed tracks and McLaren's potential advantage in rainy conditions could lead to interesting predictions for the Sprint weekend. Nico Hulkenberg, known for his skill in wet conditions, could make surprising predictions come true with the improvements shown by the Haas team this season.
