2026 BrazilGP: Pre-Race Thoughts
As Formula 1 heads to BrazilGP, celebrations continue for the Silver Arrows, but can Max make it four wins in five races?
Normalcy is restored. A Mercedes driver is crowned a World Champion, and the team is now on the verge of lifting the Constructors’ trophy once again. Oh, and Max Verstappen has found the sweet spot again. This is just the start, with plenty more in this weekend’s BrazilGP.
Kimi Antonelli comes to the BrazilGP as the newly crowned World Champion, but does that mean his job is done? According to him, he will now race a bit more freely, which necessarily doesn’t mean positive news for his rivals. His teammate, on the other hand, has to now go back to his Melbourne mindset and try to find a solid result, or else his confidence will continue to worsen. Regardless, all that Mercedes needs are three points over Ferrari to win the team’s title. Can they do it? Considering how it has been for the Scuderia of late, they might even end up getting the Championship served to them in a bowl of pasta.
Max loving BrazilGP is a major understatement. He drives flawlessly around here, and with his newly found pace, he might even go for win number three around the track. To make it oh-so-better for all, the risk of rain over the weekend is around the 80% mark, so if anybody can topple such conditions, it is Verstappen. His teammate Isack is also fighting for some respect, just like George, having had only average finishing positions lately. Hadjar is definitely better and quicker than all of Max’s previous No.2s (excluding Ricciardo), but it’s the one-lap pace that he needs to work on.
After all the on-track and even more so off-track shenanigans for the two Scuderia drivers last time out, the picture is very clear: either behave and get a solid result for the team, or prepare for certain reprimands. The team boss is not happy; John Elkann, the head honcho at Ferrari, is not impressed, and neither are the thousands of workers in the factories. Maybe, just maybe, it is time to bring some change and introduce Christian Horner to this side of the world?
Memoirs of 2023 MotoGP Bharat – Writing History!
As for the rest of them, they are expected to function as normal. McLarens will somehow falter; the RBs will end up capitalizing, while the final points might go to an Audi or a Haas. Two national drivers on the grid: Gabi for Audi and Rafa for Haas. Bortoleto did not have a great outing last year, so hopefully he gets a point, while Rafa is the latest driver to enter the merry-go-round over at Haas. Bearman has now had three different teammates in a span of just 20 races this year. Compare this with Lewis, who had three teammates in his 8 years with Mercedes.
Excited to see how the racing unfolds on Sunday in Brazil, while we celebrate Diwali at home, along with Arvid Lindblad and his fantastic helmet. I am not saying I am crazy for this sport, no matter the condition, but I tend to avoid plans on Saturdays and Sundays during Race Week. All to play for.
Cheers. Drive Safe.
Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram
