Mercedes has agreed with Max Verstappen that they want to bring the Dutch closer to the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton was largely unable to keep up with the Red Bull driver’s speed in Mexico City when Verstappen took victory and increased his lead in the drivers’ standings to 19 points.
The Interlagos circuit also historically suited the 24-year-old who won the last Brazilian Grand Prix in 2019.
But Verstappen took on a more cautious tone than those who predicted Red Bull’s success after his win in Mexico: “I don’t expect Brazil to be like it is here.”
His conclusion that Mercedes and Hamilton would be able to better challenge Verstappen was confirmed by Andrew Shovlin, the technical director of the Mercedes circuit.
“There are reasons we would expect it to be closer,” Shovlin said of Verstappen’s prediction.
“The thing is, we like to spend our time worrying about things that could go wrong and catch us.
“It can be good [it is closer] but right now it’s so unpredictable. If you look at qualifying, a single lap can be more variable than the race pace.
“But we don’t have to go far back and we definitely had the dominant car over the weekend in Turkey, I also think in Sochi.
“The remaining four tracks will also have those who suit us, so we will continue to try everything to win the championship.”
After Brazil, the 2021 Formula 1 calendar in the Middle East ends with visits to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton has won twice at Interlagos but finished seventh in 2019 after receiving a time penalty for an incident with Alex Albon.
The Briton is hoping for an eighth world title, while Verstappen has never won a drivers’ championship.
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