Verstappen seeks hat-trick in 'special' Brazil

Max Verstappen may be 36 points off Formula One title leader Lando Norris, but he will be the man to beat this weekend as he seeks to complete a hat-trick of Interlagos victories.

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen driving his way to third place at the Mexican Grand Prix on Oct 26. The Dutchman has finished on the podium in the last six Formula One races. PHOTO: EPA.

(PHOTO: EPA)

The four-time world champion has won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix three times for Red Bull - in 2019, 2023 and 2024. Last season he triumphed from 17th on the grid with a virtuoso drive in heavy rain as Norris, seeking to cut the Dutchman’s lead, finished sixth.

This time, it is the champion who is hunting down the McLaren men who head the title race.

Norris leads teammate Oscar Piastri by one point after his Mexican Grand Prix win, but with four race weekends remaining, it appears Verstappen is on a roll.

Three wins and six consecutive podium finishes have lifted him back into contention after being 104 points behind at the end of August and, as he has admitted, he loves to race in Brazil.

“It is a special place for me,” the 28-year-old said.