Hamilton and Verstappen Warn Brazil F1 Comeback Threatened by New Rules
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- Lewis Hamilton dan Max Verstappen harus start dari posisi 20 dan 21 di GP Brasil setelah mengganti komponen power unit melebihi kuota musim.
- Keduanya menilai regulasi 2026 yang menghapus DRS dan memperkenalkan overtake mode membuat manuver menyalip di Interlagos jauh lebih sulit.
- Meski demikian, kondisi trek basah berpotensi mengubah dinamika balapan dan memberi peluang bagi keduanya untuk tampil agresif.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start the Brazilian Grand Prix from the very back of the grid, but the real challenge is not simply making up ground, but adapting to new technical regulations that make overtaking at Interlagos far more complicated.
Both were forced to accept grid penalties for using power unit components beyond the season's allocation. Hamilton must start from 20th, while Verstappen is right behind him in 21st. Only Sergio Perez of Cadillac is worse off, in 22nd.
Interlagos has long been known as a circuit that is relatively easy to overtake on. Hamilton once won from 10th in 2021, while Verstappen finished first after starting from 17th in 2024. However, the two world champions agree that such history will be hard to repeat under the 2026 regulation package, which removes DRS and replaces it with an overtake mode.
Verstappen said the overtake mode does not have a significant effect at the Brazilian track. "All the drivers drain the battery from the last corner to Turn 1, and everyone's wings are open. So the effect is smaller than usual," he told Sky Sports F1 after a rain-soaked qualifying session. He predicted that overtaking cars with similar lap times will become harder, though for the first few cars it will not be a problem.
Hamilton added that the loss of DRS makes overtaking maneuvers very challenging. "We used to have long straights, and if you got close, you could use DRS while the other car might not. Now everyone opens their wing, so overtaking will be very, very difficult. I'm not sure you'll see racing like before," said the Ferrari driver. However, he hopes wet conditions can change the situation.
"Overtake mode doesn't do much here. The effect is smaller than usual, and that will make it harder to pass cars with similar pace." — Max Verstappen
This regulatory change does not only affect the race in Brazil, but also marks a new era in racing strategy. Teams must adjust their approach, especially in managing battery energy and making optimal use of overtake mode. For fans in Indonesia, the Brazilian GP will be broadcast live on Sunday night WIB, serving as a test of whether Hamilton and Verstappen can still be competitive despite starting from the back.
With the weather still forecast to be uncertain, the race at Interlagos could deliver surprises. Will the new regulations truly limit overtaking, or will they instead bring out clever tactics from the drivers? The answer will be seen on track.
