Hamilton and Verstappen brace for tough Brazilian GP fightback from the back of the grid

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen face a steep climb at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, starting from 20th and 21st on the grid at Interlagos after both drivers exceeded their season power unit allocations and took the resulting penalties. Only Cadillac’s Sergio Perez, starting 22nd, lines up behind them.

Interlagos has historically been one of Formula 1’s more forgiving circuits for recovery drives. Hamilton won from 10th there in 2021, while Verstappen charged from 17th to victory in 2024. But both drivers cautioned that the conditions for those comebacks no longer exist, with DRS removed under the current 2026 regulations and replaced by a new overtake mode that they believe offers far less of an advantage around the São Paulo layout.

“It’s going to be a bit harder to overtake,” Verstappen said after a rain-hit qualifying session. “The overtake mode doesn’t really do a lot around here. Everyone is draining their battery from the last corner to Turn 1. Everyone has their wings open. So the effect is going to be less than normal. And that will make it a bit harder to overtake once you get to the cars that are similar lap time. The first few cars is not a problem, but then the other ones will be a bit harder.”

Hamilton echoed those concerns when speaking to the media, pointing to the loss of DRS as the critical factor. “I think [it will be] harder. Because back then we had, obviously, a very long straight. And if you got close, you had the DRS and maybe a car wouldn’t have it. Because now everyone is just opening up their wings, I think overtaking will be very, very, very hard. I’m not sure you’re going to see the same sort of races that you’ve seen in the past. But maybe the wet conditions will change that.”

The prospect of a wet or changeable race at Interlagos remains a wildcard that could yet reshape the afternoon for both title-winning veterans. Whether the circuit’s unpredictable weather can replicate the drama of previous Brazilian Grands Prix — despite the regulatory changes — is the central question heading into Sunday’s race.