Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have both predicted a difficult recovery drive in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, warning that overtaking at Interlagos is likely to be much tougher than in past seasons.
According to Motorsport.com, the pair will line up near the back after fitting new power unit components in Brazil that took them beyond their allocation for the season. Hamilton is set to start 20th and Verstappen 21st, with only Cadillac's Sergio Perez behind them in 22nd.
The Sao Paulo circuit has traditionally offered plenty of passing opportunities, and both drivers have previously triumphed there after starting well down the order. Hamilton won from 10th in 2021, while Verstappen claimed victory from 17th in 2024.
However, both men believe the 2026 regulations, which have removed DRS and introduced a new overtake mode, could change that picture.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after a wet qualifying session, Verstappen explained that every driver now depletes their battery between the final corner and Turn 1, with all cars running their wings open. "The overtake mode doesn't really do a lot around here," he said.
The Dutchman added that the reduced effect would make it harder to get past rivals with comparable pace, although he expected the slower cars at the front of his climb to pose little problem.
Hamilton shared that view when speaking to the media. He pointed out that in previous years a driver who got close on the long straight could use DRS against a car without it, but now that everyone opens their wings, he expects passing to be extremely difficult.
The seven-time champion said he was unsure whether fans would see races like those of the past at Interlagos, though he suggested wet weather could alter the situation.