Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton said that he must win the weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix in order to stay in contest for the World Championship. The Mercedes driver currently trails archrival – Redbull’s Max Verstappen – by 19 points. 

Ahead of the Brazilian GP Hamilton noted that the task – winning- would be exceptionally difficult. The 36-year-old said he expects Verstappen’s Red Bull to once more be on top at Interlagos.

Verstappen, after winning the Mexico GP, extended his lead on the World Championship. With four races left this year, the two are set to compete for 107 points. 

“Every race is a must-win race,” he said. “It’s been a must-win race since forever, particularly since we came back form the break but we have not really been able to do so. The task is as steep as it can be. Their pace was phenomenal in the last race. They have a strong car, they have the strongest car you can tell. Last time here they were incredibly strong, so we anticipate they will be hard to beat this weekend,” Hamilton said, as per The Guardian report. 

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In 2019, it was Verstappen who won the race. 

“In four races a lot of things can happen,” he said. “Things can change very quickly. I had a bigger lead in the championship and that disappeared in two races. We have to try and win the race. My approach every single weekend is the same,” the manager said. 

The Brit driver added that he believes that Mercedes were still suffering from rule changes made before this season.

“This year we have had our wings clipped, it has definitely been harder from an operational standpoint to maximise the car. It’s a harder car to optimise, some weekends it works some weekends it doesn’t,”  he said.