Brazil Bound Max Eyes Samba Hat-Trick

Sao Paulo, Brazil — Max Verstappen is heading to Brazil chasing both history and momentum. The Red Bull ace may trail championship leader Lando Norris by 36 points, but with three wins at Interlagos already under his belt, few doubt who the man to beat will be this weekend.

The 28-year-old four-time world champion has claimed victories at the São Paulo Grand Prix in 2019, 2023, and 2024. Last year, he stormed from 17th on the grid through heavy rain to win, while Norris could only manage sixth. This time, the tables have turned — it’s Verstappen doing the chasing.

Norris leads McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by a single point after his Mexican triumph, but Verstappen’s resurgence has been remarkable. Three straight wins and six consecutive podiums have cut what was once a 104-point gap back in August. And if there’s one track that seems to bring out the best in him, it’s Brazil.

“It’s a special place for me,” said Verstappen. “Not just because of the races, but also because my family-in-law is from here. It can rain hard, and that always makes for crazy races like last year.”

The Dutchman’s partner, Kelly Piquet — daughter of Brazilian legend Nelson Piquet — recently gave birth to their daughter Lily. Verstappen has been spending time with the Piquet family before race weekend and will don a Brazil-themed helmet for the event.

“I love the old-school nature of the track,” he added. “There’s a lot of history and good memories for me here.”

McLaren, meanwhile, are holding steady after shifting focus to the 2026 regulations. Norris’ victory in Mexico was a timely boost, and Piastri believes he’s regaining his rhythm after a mid-season dip.

Team principal Andrea Stella said the squad has learned how to “extract performance more consistently” after a few scrappy weekends. “I don’t think any of the remaining tracks will necessarily favor one of our drivers,” he said, noting Verstappen, Ferrari, and Mercedes as late threats in both the drivers’ and constructors’ fights.

McLaren has already locked in the constructors’ title with 713 points, but behind them, Ferrari (356), Mercedes (355), and Red Bull (346) are locked in a tight battle for second.

“We’re still in the fight for P2,” said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. “We lost ground in Austin and Mexico, but we can hit back in Brazil.”

Interlagos has been kind to both Mercedes and Ferrari in the past. George Russell took his maiden win there in 2022, while Lewis Hamilton — now with Ferrari — famously triumphed in 2016, 2018, and 2021. Hamilton, recently engaged to Alexandra Saint Mleux, will be looking to add another Brazilian highlight to his career.

With rain again on the radar, fans can expect the kind of unpredictable, high-drama spectacle that São Paulo is known for — and Verstappen will be hoping that, once more, the magic of Brazil swings his way.