Sao Paulo: A thrilling finish to the Formula 1 drivers championship is in prospect with only one point separating leader Lando Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri going into this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Reigning champion Max Verstappen is only 36 points behind Norris before the race at Interlagos, which offers extra points as it’s a sprint event.
According to BBC, after the race in Brazil, there are three more grands prix to come this year, in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Verstappen has had a significant advantage over several of his team-mates in recent years, but he and Carlos Sainz were relatively evenly matched in 2015. Daniel Ricciardo also saw Verstappen inch his way from slightly behind to ahead by the end of 2018. Verstappen’s pre-eminence in the Red Bull team has led to the car being focused solely on him, making it difficult for team-mates. Despite this, Sergio Perez has occasionally beaten Verstappen on merit.
Oscar Piastri’s recent performance has raised questions about his ability to regain competitive form. Following a strong start after the summer break, including controlling the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri has struggled in recent races, with a series of poor results. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella attributes this to Piastri’s difficulty adapting to certain track conditions, emphasizing that Piastri is still in his third season and has room to develop.
In contrast, the Alpine team faces significant challenges. Despite having two separate five-year plans to move to the front, they have failed to realize these goals. Poor management decisions have resulted in losing top drivers, including Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri. The Renault engine program is ending, and they will switch to Mercedes power-units from 2026, raising questions about the team’s ambition.
Red Bull is also considering changes, with Isack Hadjar expected to be promoted alongside Verstappen. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda’s futures remain uncertain, with Red Bull evaluating their options for the Racing Bulls team. The potential signing of Alex Dunne, recently released from the McLaren young driver program, adds another layer of complexity to their decision-making process.