Verstappen reveals what he needs to pull off another Brazil GP comeback

Following his qualifying session in São Paulo, Verstappen explained why the characteristics of the circuit could make overtaking more challenging than in previous years, particularly without DRS.

"It was in the past, but now we don't have DRS anymore, and the overtake mode is very limiting around here because of the long straight. Everyone is draining the battery. So your speed difference on the straight is gonna be a lot less, a bit like Mexico, really. So it'll be quite a lot harder, I think, to pass than normal," Verstappen explained.

With his starting position already determined by his penalty, Verstappen admitted that he was not particularly interested in pushing during qualifying, with his attention firmly focused on Sunday's race.

Asked what conditions would give him the best chance of repeating his 2023 victory at Interlagos, the Dutchman pointed to the possibility of multiple Safety Car interruptions: "Lots of Safety Cars. So they can't pull away. It keeps coming back to me."

However, Verstappen insisted that he was not spending too much time thinking about the potential outcome of the race: "We'll see. Honestly, I don't really think about it too much. I'll just go from lap one and see where I end up."

Verstappen will also have Lewis Hamilton starting towards the back of the grid, with both drivers facing the challenge of recovering positions.

"Also, hope we can clear the cars in front of us as quickly as we can," the Red Bull driver concluded.