F1 braces for more Verstappen-Norris drama – Winston-Salem Journal

Lando Norris needs an Interlagos win in Sao Paulo to keep his title hopes alive.

New elements could spice up the showdown between the drivers who received penalties at the last two races in Austin, Texas and Mexico for their audacity on the track. Interlagos has new tarmac, rain is expected throughout the weekend and Verstappen received a five-place grid penalty after he and Red Bull decided to use a new engine.

Free practice on Friday did not bode well for Verstappen; he finished 15th, more than a second behind Norris, who recorded the best lap in his McLaren. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, also in contention for the title, finished sixth.

Sprint qualifying in the afternoon was better for Verstappen; he was fourth, but almost a second behind leader and Norris teammate Oscar Piastri. Norris was second.

Saturday will see the penultimate sprint race of the season and pay tribute to three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, who died 30 years ago. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton will drive the McLaren once driven by Senna in front of 60,000 fans.

Norris closed the gap on Verstappen to 47 points in Mexico after a furious encounter that resulted in 20-second penalties for the Dutchman. The British driver was penalized in the previous race at the US Grand Prix when he battled with the defending champion.

Leclerc, 70 points behind Verstappen, told the media on Thursday that he did not expect a leading performance from his team this weekend.

The Monegasque driver also had to face stewards in Brazil for swearing at a press conference after last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix. He was fined 10,000 euros (almost $11,000), half of which is suspended as long as he does not commit another offense 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 given a day’s community service for the same reason during the Singapore GP.

Verstappen said in Mexico that F1 had become too policed. On his arrival in Brazil, he said he didn’t care about critics of his aggressive driving. Although he and Norris claim to have a respectful relationship, another clash between the two is expected 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 win was 10 races ago in Spain in June, following a run of seven wins in the first 10 races.

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

The earliest title Verstappen can win is in Las Vegas on November 24. For Norris to have a chance, he will likely have to fight for the title until December’s final in Abu Dhabi.

Norris’ candidacy is difficult, and McLaren has a better chance of dethroning Red Bull in the constructors’ championship. Ferrari overtook Red Bull to second in the standings after Carlos Sainz Jr’s victory. in Mexico.

Red Bull, which has won the last two constructors’ titles, is third.

Another challenge expected to affect everyone in Interlagos is the new tarmac. Drivers from various teams say they are unsure what impact this change will have on their performance.

For the second time in his life, Mercedes’ Hamilton will be aboard the McLaren once driven by Senna, who died in 1994 following a crash during the San Marino Grand Prix.

Hamilton will drive Senna’s title-winning MP4/5B after Saturday’s sprint race. Weeks ago, Honda and McLaren said they would bring the car that helped the Brazilian win the drivers’ championship in 1990.

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

“It will be an emotional experience,” Hamilton said in Sao Paulo. He arrived in Interlagos for Thursday’s media day wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Rest in Peace Aerton Senna” and trousers in the color of the Brazilian flag.

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