Max Verstappen will be hoping for a record-extending 17th Grand Prix win of the season when the teams descend on Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix, with the lights set to go out at 20:00 BST on Sunday 4th November.
While Verstappen has already mathematically secured his third-successive World Drivers’ Championship, there are plenty of scores to settle lower down the leaderboard as we head into the final month of the 2023 Formula One season and the sixth and final Sprint weekend of the year.
- Lewis Hamilton to finish on the podium
- Alex Albon to finish in the points
- Carlos Sainz to finish in the top 6
Hamilton In Perez’s Rearview Mirror
Lewis Hamilton is chasing down Sergio Perez for second place in the World Drivers’ Championship and has closed the gap to just 20 points after the Mexican suffered a first-turn crash at his home Grand Prix last weekend. The Briton could take another chunk out of that deficit if he picks up where he left off in Mexico City.
Hamilton has finished second on the road in each of the last two Grands Prix, only to be disqualified for an illegally worn plank. Despite this, the pace the Silver Arrows are showing is evident and the seven-time world champion looks to be enjoying driving the vastly-improved Mercedes at the moment.
With McLaren expected to struggle due to the high number of low and medium-speed corners at Interlagos, Hamilton should have a clear path to make it seven podiums from his last eight Brazilian Grands Prix on Sunday.
Hamilton hunting down Perez
Albon Eyes Strong Finish
Alex Albon has done a fine job of rebuilding his Formula One career after his dismal spell at Red Bull and he can continue to lead the Williams team with another points haul in Sao Paulo.
The 27-year-old is responsible for 27 of Williams’ 28 World Constructors’ Championship points this season and has finished ninth in each of the last two races.
Taking his retirement from the Japanese Grand Prix - caused by damage sustained as Valtteri Bottas hit the unknowing Albon on the first lap - out of the equation, Albon has an average finishing position of 9.5 since the Dutch Grand Prix, and the fact that Logan Sargeant managed to claim his first ever Formula One points a couple of weeks ago illustrates that the current Williams car is a real contender for points.
Sainz to cement 4th
Reliable Sainz To Cement 4th Place
Carlos Sainz does not receive the plaudits of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc but the Spaniard’s results cannot be argued with and another solid points haul is expected in Brazil as he looks to clinch fourth in the World Drivers’ Championship.
Sainz is the only driver outside of Red Bull to win a Grand Prix in 2023 and that is one of many impressive drives the 29-year-old has put in this season.
A car issue ruled him out of the Qatar Grand Prix in October but he has finished in the top six in each of the last six races he has taken part in and only the two Red Bull drivers and Lewis Hamilton have taken a top-six finish more often than him this season, with Sainz claiming at least eight points in 13 of the 19 races so far.
