Lewis Hamilton receives an engine penalty for the Formula 1 race in São Paulo.
Thanks to the new drive, however, he can clearly outperform Max Verstappen in qualifying.
What is still in it for Hamilton in the thrilling World Cup duel?
São Paulo - Lewis Hamilton got on his Mercedes and cheered the Brazilian fans at the gates of São Paulo.
Thanks to a new engine and an impressive performance, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion secured the top spot for today's sprint race (8.30 p.m. / Sky).
Hamilton looked relieved and full of energy for the world championship fight against Max Verstappen.
“It was a really good qualifying session, I'm super happy,” said the 36-year-old at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace.
Hamilton with a lead in qualification
Hamilton had received a penalty before the first training session in Interlagos because of an illegal engine change.
He has to start five places further back in the fourth last race of the season on Sunday (6 p.m. / Sky).
Another setback, after all, Hamilton has to catch up 19 points on World Championship leader Verstappen in the Red Bull.
The best time in the first training and in the qualification with a clear lead gave the Briton and the Silver Arrows courage.
“We have performance, so anything is possible,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff before the sprint.
In this mini-event over 24 laps with free choice of tires, the winner receives three points, the second two and the third one more.
Verstappen is unimpressed
The favorite to start from first place on Sunday is also Verstappen because of Hamilton's penalty.
The Dutchman was unimpressed by the Englishman's performance, and in the Grand Prix, the winner also received a whopping 25 points.
"It is clear that if you have a new engine, you will have more power on the weekend," he explained.
“It's not a big shock for me, I'm just happy to be second.
This is a good position to start with. "
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko praised Verstappen's only world championship rival.
"Hamilton was incredibly fast," said the Austrian.
But Marko knows that Red Bull is usually faster in the race than in qualifying.
And in addition, higher temperatures on Saturday and Sunday should be Red Bull more than Mercedes.
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Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel only landed in twelfth place, while Mick Schumacher in the Haas was second to last, leaving his stable rival Nikita Masepin behind him again.
"I actually felt very well, but there was too much time missing," stated Vettel.
dpa
