(Reuters) – The Mercedes team is heading to Brazil this weekend with hopes of avoiding a full year without a Formula One victory. Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton and his teammate George Russell are entering the final sprint weekend of the season with optimism, despite the record-breaking performance of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Russell, who won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last year for his first F1 victory, is also looking forward to the race.
In the last two races, Hamilton has finished in second place on the track, even though he was disqualified in Texas. The Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff expressed confidence in the team’s chances and the competitiveness of their car.
Hamilton, a three-time winner at Interlagos, has strong support in Brazil, being considered an honorary Brazilian. Mercedes has been dominant at the circuit, winning there for the past two years and six times in the last eight.
Verstappen, on the other hand, has been on a winning streak, achieving his 16th win of the season in Mexico and setting a new record. He will start as the favorite this weekend and is closing in on the all-time win record.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, will be under pressure to perform after crashing out in his home race. However, he remains motivated and focused on securing second place in the Championship, currently being just 20 points ahead of Hamilton.
McLaren and Ferrari are also hoping to secure podium finishes in the race. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who has been on pole in the last two races, expressed confidence in their performance in sprint races.
The race in Brazil marks the end of the season, with Red Bull and Verstappen already securing both titles.
Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Pritha Sarkar
