Palmer Picks McLaren Over Red Bull for Brazilian GP

Jolyon Palmer predicts McLaren holds a slight edge over Red Bull at Interlagos this weekend, despite acknowledging the very tight competition expected. The former F1 driver highlighted McLaren's recent performance trends and the unique challenges of the Sprint format as key factors.

Why it matters:

McLaren's resurgence has injected fresh excitement into the F1 season, making every race a potential battleground against the dominant Red Bull. A strong showing in Brazil could further solidify McLaren's status as a top contender and intensify the championship fight in the final races.

The Details:

• McLaren's Advantage: Palmer, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, suggested that "if everyone hooks up the perfect lap, you would say probably the McLaren is going to have a very small advantage." This sentiment is based on the team's strong performance in recent races.
• Sprint Format Factor: The Sprint weekend format at Interlagos, with only one hour of practice, could play into Red Bull's hands, particularly with Max Verstappen's proven ability to deliver immediately, as seen in Austin.
• Tight Competition: Despite picking McLaren, Palmer expects the gap to Red Bull to be "very close." He noted that while Oscar Piastri has closed the points difference to Max Verstappen in recent races, it's hard to pinpoint a single weekend where Red Bull was definitively the fastest car, with Monza being the closest exception.
• Altitude Consideration: Brazil's Interlagos circuit has some altitude, similar to Mexico, which can influence car performance. Palmer noted that "on paper, you'd say if there's going to be a performance advantage, it tends to go towards McLaren—but it'll be close."

Between the lines:

Palmer also voiced strong criticism regarding McLaren's team radio calls to Lando Norris during the Mexican Grand Prix, labeling them "stupid." This highlights ongoing scrutiny of team strategies, especially with both McLaren drivers in close championship contention and just four races left in the season.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Interlagos to see if Palmer's prediction holds true. The Brazilian GP's Sprint format promises an intense weekend, with qualifying, a Sprint Race, and the main Grand Prix, all offering opportunities for McLaren and Red Bull to assert dominance. The outcome could significantly impact the constructors' and drivers' championships as the season nears its conclusion.