![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/Max-Verstappen-Red-Bull-5046429.jpg?r=1698952040238\")
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Max Verstappen was cautious when asked about his chances of winning the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, recalling the pace Mercedes showed at Interlagos last season when they ended Red Bull\u2019s winning streak through George Russell\u2019s first-ever race win.<\/p>\n
The back-to-back constructor champions travel to Sao Paulo having won all but one Grand Prix in 2023 with that blip coming in Singapore, where Carlos Sainz managed to clinch an expertly-managed victory in spite of Mercedes\u2019 superior pace.<\/p>\n
This weekend, however, will offer the best chance for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton to clinch their first victories of 2023. It was the seven-time world champion\u2019s team-mate who took to the top step of the podium here last time around, but his pace remained competitive in that race despite taking significant damage from a clash with Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
Hamilton heads into this weekend with plenty to play for. The 38-year-old is still looking to end a win drought that spans back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and now sits just 20 points behind Sergio Perez in second place as he looks to prevent Red Bull\u2019s first-ever one-two finish in the Constructor Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Grosjean makes surprising racing switch after legal action against former team[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n Asked ahead of the Brazilian GP whether or not he thought his rivals would be closer to Red Bull in terms of performance at Interlagos, he responded: \u201cWell last year we didn\u2019t have a great race weekend here.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now with also the sprint format, [it] makes it quite difficult to stay and be on top of things. We had a few ideas [about] why last year wasn\u2019t that great but one practice session to make sure that it’s better this year.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I think there\u2019s a lot of high deg (tyre degradation) here and the way you have to set up the car, a lot of low-speed corners. I don\u2019t think our car is particularly\u2026 let\u2019s say\u2026 amazing in the low-speed corners, so I guess we\u2019ll find out.\u201d<\/p>\n More F1… <\/strong>
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Fernando Alonso admits defeat to Lando Norris as Aston Martin collapse continues[ALONSO] <\/strong><\/p>\n\n