Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both expect overtaking to be much more difficult at Interlagos than in previous seasons as they prepare to start Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix from the back of the grid.
Both drivers purchased new engine parts in Brazil, exceeding their allocation for the season. As a result, Hamilton and Verstappen will start 20th and 21st on the grid respectively, with only Cadillac’s Sergio Perez behind them in 22nd.
Interlagos has long been a track where overtaking is relatively easy. Both Verstappen and Hamilton have won on the track way back in the previous order: Hamilton from 10th in 2021 and Verstappen from 17th in 2024. But with DRS moving to 2026 regulations and the new overtaking mode, both believe that may no longer be the case.
“It’s going to be a bit more difficult to overtake,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 after the rainy qualifying session.
“The overtaking mode doesn’t do much here. Everyone discharges their battery from the last corner until turn 1. Everyone has their wings open.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
“So the effect will be less than normal. And it will make overtaking a little more difficult once you get to the cars that have a similar lap time. The first few cars are not a problem, but then the others will be a little more difficult.”
Hamilton added when speaking to the media: “I think (it will be) more difficult. Because back then we obviously had a very long straight. And if you got closer to it you had DRS and maybe a car wouldn’t have it.”
“Because now everyone is opening their wings, I think overtaking will be very, very, very difficult. I’m not sure you’re going to see the same kind of racing as in the past. But maybe the wet conditions will change that.”
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