Formula 1 has seen many crazy Grand Prix in Brazil. How will it be on Sunday (7 p.m. / RTL and Sky) at the penultimate race of the season? The world champion is sometimes not at the front of the starting grid.
Red Bull problems
Max Verstappen is already world driver’s champion, Red Bull constructors’ world champion. Nevertheless, the racing team also wants maximum success in Brazil. But Verstappen complained about the balance of the car and gambled away the choice of tires in the sprint. “We just weren’t fast enough, especially in the middle sector,” admitted Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. “In general, the medium tire didn’t work, it was the wrong choice.” Marko expected “hard work overnight” to get the problems under control. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez should eventually become vice world champion.
Silver Arrows chance of winning
Mercedes really wants that one Grand Prix win. The former world champion team has gone away empty-handed so far this year. But the performance of George Russell, who even took pole position, and Lewis Hamilton gives hope for the coup in Brazil. “It was incredible,” Russell said after his sprint success. “I didn’t expect to be so quick, but it shows the hard work we all put in.” Russell has yet to win a Grand Prix, while Hamilton has won at least one every year since his Formula 1 debut in 2007. The superstar wants it to stay that way.
Schumacher’s fighting heart
Mick Schumacher’s qualification was a disaster – 20th place. Team colleague Kevin Magnussen even got pole position sensationally. In the sprint, however, the young German showed what he was capable of. “We had a good first lap, which helped,” said Schumacher after fighting his way up to twelfth place. “In the end we did a good job.” And that despite engine problems that later led to adjustments to the steering wheel. Perhaps Schumacher, who is hoping for a new contract with Haas for 2023, can even score points.
vagaries of the weather
Interlagos is always good for a climatic surprise. The track temperatures can reach up to 60 degrees on the Autódromo José Carlos Pace – when the sun is beating down. However, thunderstorms are not uncommon at this time of year. And showers are expected in São Paulo on Sunday afternoon, making it difficult to find the right race strategy. Downpours and chaos on the asphalt have caused many a safety car phase in the past.
