Formula 1 is preparing for more drama between Verstappen and Norris; Hamilton drives Senna’s car

SAO PAULO — Red Bull’s Max Verstappen suggests he will not change his aggressive driving style at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix as he bids for his fourth consecutive Formula One title.

McLaren’s Lando Norris needs victory at the historic Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo to keep his title hopes realistic.

Some new ingredients could revive the battle between the two drivers, who received penalties in the last two races in Austin and Mexico City for aggressiveness on the track. Interlagos has new asphalt and rain is expected all weekend.

Verstappen received a five-place penalty for Sunday’s race after he and the Red Bull team decided to use a new engine.

Friday’s practice did not bode well for Verstappen, who finished 15th, more than a second behind McLaren’s fastest time, Norris. Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, which also has a chance to win the championship, was sixth. The drivers will return to the track in the afternoon for Saturday’s sprint qualifying.

Saturday will see the penultimate sprint race of the season and a tribute to legendary three-time champion Ayrton Senna, who died 30 years ago. Seven-time Formula One champion and “honorary Brazilian” Lewis Hamilton will drive the McLaren once driven by one of the country’s greatest sporting heroes in front of 60,000 fans.

Norris cut the gap to Verstappen to 47 points in Mexico after a furious battle that saw the Dutchman receive penalties totaling 20 seconds. The British driver was penalized in the previous race, the US Grand Prix, while battling the defending champion.

Verstappen has 362 points in the Drivers’ Championship with four races and two sprints to go, while Norris has 315.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has a longer shot at the title. After scoring 291 points, he told the media on Thursday that he does not expect a great performance from his team this weekend.

Problems for Verstappen and McLarenVerstappen said in Mexico that Formula 1 has become too regulated. Upon his arrival in Brazil, he stated that he was not bothered by criticism of his aggressive style.

While he and Norris say they have a respectful relationship, another showdown is expected between them in Sunday’s race. McLarens are also expected to have an advantage.

Verstappen has won twice at the Interlagos circuit, where he is 84, including last year’s race in which Norris finished second.

The Dutchman has not won in 10 races. Verstappen’s last win was in Spain in June after a run of seven victories in the first 10 races.

“We want to do it well, but of course it also has to be possible. “We still have a good lead,” Verstappen said on Thursday. “I just try to enjoy the moment, I always try to optimize performance.”

The earliest Verstappen could clinch the title could be November 24 in Las Vegas. For Norris to have a chance, he will likely have to fight for the title in the final race, scheduled for December in Abu Dhabi.

Norris’ fight for the championship looks difficult. Instead, McLaren has a better chance of dethroning Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.

Ferrari overtook Red Bull to take second place in the standings after Carlos Sainz Jr.’s victory in Mexico.

Red Bull, which won the last two constructors’ championships, is now in third place.

Another issue expected to affect everyone at Interlagos is the new asphalt. Drivers from several teams said Thursday they were unsure what impact the change would have on their performance.

Hamilton paid tribute to 30-year-old SennaFor the second time in his life, Mercedes’ Hamilton will be aboard the McLaren once driven by three-time champion Senna, who died in a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Hamilton will drive the MP4/5B in which Senna won the crown after Saturday’s sprint race. A few weeks ago, Honda and McLaren said they would present the car that helped the Brazilian win the 1990 Drivers’ Championship.

During his time at McLaren, Hamilton drove Senna’s MP4/4 around Silverstone in 2009 for a British television programme.

“It will be an emotional experience,” Hamilton, 39, said in Sao Paulo. He arrived at Interlagos for a media day on Thursday wearing a T-shirt that read “RIP Ayrton Senna” and trousers the color of the Brazilian flag.

“Every time we come here it’s an opportunity to do it (honor Senna) and I think a lot of other drivers do too,” Hamilton said. “But I never in a million years thought I would be able to drive Senna’s car here. “I remember someone contacted me, my manager told me, and I jumped at the chance.”

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This story was translated from English by an AP editor using a generative artificial intelligence tool.