Max Verstappen delivered F1 title instruction as key Brazil opportunity highlighted

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes an opportunity exists for Max Verstappen to eat into McLaren's drivers' championship advantage in Brazil.

Verstappen currently sits 36 points down on Lando Norris in the standings, with four rounds remaining in the campaign.

The Brazilian F1 weekend is a sprint event, with more points on the table due to the shorter race held on Saturday.

However, time is running out for Verstappen to close the deficit as Brundle asserted the advantage lies with McLaren.

“He has got to put pressure on the two McLaren drivers,” Brundle told Sky F1.

“I think McLaren had the upper hand. It's two against one, 30-odd points clear. Max has got a lot of work to do.

“So if McLaren have good clean races, pit stops, good reliability, Max has really got to do something a little bit special, to say the least.

Verstappen is a three-time winner around Interlagos, including at last year's edition, where he dominated in wet conditions after starting from 17th on the grid.

With more rain expected throughout the weekend in São Paulo, Brundle stated it offers a strong opportunity for Verstappen to eat into McLaren's lead.

“He could do that [something special] here. At the moment, for me, it's very much advantage McLaren in the fight.

“But this is a strange place, and if Max can close the gap and get into their heads rent free, then I think all bets are off for the rest of the championship.”