Overview
- Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri 357–356 with Max Verstappen third on 321 points and four races remaining entering a Sprint weekend in Brazil, where rain is possible.
- Bernie Ecclestone has alleged McLaren prefers Norris and has even “slowed” Piastri at times, citing Norris’s marketability, though he provided no evidence.
- McLaren rejects claims of bias, with Andrea Stella attributing Piastri’s struggles to driving‑style demands on low‑grip tracks and ruling out car issues, as prior incidents in Monza and Singapore continue to fuel outside debate.
- Jacques Villeneuve argues Piastri has reached his limit since Baku and lost confidence, while Martin Brundle calls for a reset and dismisses suggestions of team sabotage.
- Red Bull points to recent upgrades and Verstappen’s form as reasons for optimism, with Helmut Marko saying variable weather at Interlagos could help close the 36‑point gap to the leader.