Verstappen downplays chances of Brazil comeback win

Max Verstappen has played down his chances of repeating his 2024 comeback victory in Brazil, when he started 17th and climbed through the field. This year he again starts near the back, lining up alongside Lewis Hamilton after a power unit-related penalty.

Verstappen said the new 2026 power units make overtaking harder, as drivers drain their battery on the straight and the absence of DRS removes a previous advantage of around five-tenths of a second. He said the situation is similar to Mexico, making it difficult to generate top speed.

Saturday's qualifying at Interlagos was disrupted by torrential rain, and some wet weather is forecast for Sunday's race. Verstappen said rain would not help him either, arguing that conditions would make progress even tougher, particularly because visibility would be poor.