Two weeks on from clinching his fourth drivers’ championship, Lewis Hamilton will be the focus of attention for more than one reason this weekend when he heads Mercedes’ bid to consolidate its title-winning supremacy at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old Briton, who confirmed his third championship with the ‘Silver Arrows’ when he finished ninth at the Mexican Grand Prix, has denied allegations of tax avoidance following the release of the so-called Paradise Papers, but remains engulfed in the controversy.
His behaviour, body language and form are expected to be scrutinised as closely as if the title race itself were still alive each time he appears in the crowded Interlagos paddock.
His childhood hero Ayrton Senna’s sister Vivianne told him on Wednesday that the Senna family will always “be on your side.”
For his Mercedes team, it will be strictly business as usual in Brazil as it takes the opportunity to use the final two races of the season as a chance to prepare the defence of the drivers’ and constructors’ crowns in 2018.
The controversy, however, may attract unexpected and unwanted negativity.
His Mercedes team said it plans to be “bolder” and to experiment with new parts and ideas.
Team chief Toto Wolff said: “Inside the team, we are looking at the next two race weekends as the first two GPs of 2018 — we have two races that we are determined to win in order to take that positive momentum into the winter. Every time we race, we race to win. That is the mind-set.”
This is expected to mean that Mercedes will test new aerodynamic parts, pit-stop equipment and different techniques. Against this, both Ferrari and Red Bull are likely to launch equally bold bids for improved performance in what may be one of the most competitive events of the season, notably with both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen desperate to win again. Vettel has seen his title challenge fail despite the clear speed of his Ferrari while Verstappen, twice a winner in his last four outings, is keen to build on the momentum of those successes after signing a new contract with Red Bull.
Verstappen revelled in the challenge in the wet last year and gained 10 positions in a daring drive to finish third and secure a podium finish at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace where Hamilton gained his first title with a passing move for McLaren at the final corner in 2008.
The race will be the last one on home soil for local heroFelipe Massa, before he retires, this time finally.
