Formula 1: Hamilton seeking 'home' win at scene of one of his greatest triumphs

Sao Paulo – Lewis Hamilton returns to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs this weekend hoping to celebrate again by giving Brazil a “home” winner at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the penultimate race this season.

The seven-time world champion was confirmed as an honorary Brazilian citizen this week and promptly declared that he felt “like now I am one of you” – a claim that Mercedes hope will power him and them to a first win of the season in Sunday’s race.

To do that and extend his record of winning at least one race in every season of his career since his 2007 debut, the 37-year-old Briton will need to beat the relentless runaway world champions Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

He did it in 2021 with a spectacular demonstration of speed and courage to secure his third win at the fast and exciting Interlagos circuit, where the spectators generate a carnival atmosphere, and where he won his maiden title in 2008 as Felipe Massa scored Brazil’s last home win in a Ferrari.

But despite two consecutive second-placed finishes behind two-time world champion Verstappen and a mounting sense of momentum, Hamilton and the Silver Arrows know they face a formidable challenge.

“Interlagos is an iconic track and the scene of so many special F1 moments, including Lewis’ spectacular performance last year in the sprint and the race,” said team boss Toto Wolff.

“We’re proud to be coming back to Brazil with Lewis having been made an honorary citizen – and having such good memories.

“On paper, it shouldn’t be quite as strong a circuit for us as Mexico but, regardless, we want to keep up our momentum from recent races. So we will keep working hard to, hopefully, be in the mix once again.”

In 2021, Hamilton kept his title challenge alive in sensational fashion by charging through the field from 10th to take a stunning victory and then pulled aloft a Brazilian flag to signal his feelings and revive memories of his childhood hero, Ayrton Senna.

On Sunday, he will be a surrogate Brazilian and seek to win both the sprint on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday.

In the 2021 sprint, he started last on the grid and finished fifth before receiving a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s contest.

This time, there will be no titles on offer as Mercedes battle to overhaul Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship, ahead of a scrap between Alpine and McLaren for fourth.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said on Wednesday he was more focused on 2023 than battling Red Bull rival Sergio Perez for second place in the current campaign. The Monegasque driver is only five points behind the Mexican.

“My mind is mostly focused on next year,” he said. “Of course, we’ll do everything to try and get the best results possible for the last two races. But the most important is to try to build on these last two races in order to be a better team next year.

“But, by doing it, I hope we can still clinch second place in the drivers’ championship.”

Leclerc had only three wins from nine pole positions in 20 races in 2022 as Verstappen romped to his second title with four races to spare. Perez won twice.

“We might be constructors’ champions but, as a team, and for me personally, it is hugely important to secure a one-two in the drivers’ championship,” Perez said. “I’m going into the final two races of the season still feeling like I have everything to win.”

Ferrari, on 487 points, are 40 points clear of Mercedes as the F1 circus heads towards the seasonal finale in Abu Dhabi.

After the political storms in Mexico, where Red Bull were told of their punishment for breaking last season’s US$145 million (S$203 million) cost cap and then announced they were snubbing Sky TV for alleged bias reporting, Verstappen is expected to enjoy a calmer weekend as he seeks a record-extending 15th win in a single season.

If he succeeds, it will also represent Red Bull’s 10th consecutive victory, a landmark moment to salute the contribution by patriarch Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in October. REUTERS