The story of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris’ burgeoning rivalry already has multiple chapters, and another could be written at a legendary corner next time out.

That’s according to Formula E world champion and Red Bull simulation driver Jake Dennis who has predicted where the pair could clash again in Brazil.

F1

Verstappen twice pushed Norris off in Mexico and was dealt two ten second penalties[/caption]

Verstappen leads the Formula 1 drivers’ championship by 47 points from Norris with four rounds to go and their famous friendship has been put under serious stress.

With Red Bull’s dominant early season pace completely evaporating amid off-track distractions, Verstappen no longer has the fastest car, which has led to him having to fend off his British rival.

The pair dramatically collided in Austria back in June and then again in the US in round 19. That event saw Norris penalised for overtaking off track, and then in Mexico last time out, it was Verstappen’s turn to receive a hefty penalty for twice driving his rival off the circuit. 

Next up it’s one of motorsport’s most iconic tracks with overtaking opportunities aplenty, and Dennis can see where things might come to a head once again.

Commenting on the current drama, he told talkSPORT: “I think it’s good that they were strict in Mexico to try and peg it back a little bit for Brazil because you’ve got a few corners there which can easily happen. 

“You know at turn four there is gonna be a big one with this ‘who’s ahead at the apex’.”

Brazil’s turn four has staged many iconic moments over the years as a downhill right-hander with plenty of run-off space for drivers to push each other wide.

This was showcased best in 2021 when Verstappen pushed off a charging Lewis Hamilton who ended up winning the race despite an engine change dropping him to the back of the grid.

The situation will be the same for Verstappen in Brazil as the Dutchman is set to follow suit and fit a new engine, dropping him to the back of the grid but enabling him to power through.

In 2021, Verstappen pushing Hamilton off track was soon forgotten as the Brit drove to victory, but Dennis is concerned by the sport’s current set of guidelines that decide who receives the benefit of the doubt when collisions happen at a corner.

“That whole situation inside of obviously Formula 1 right now is very messy,” he said. “Even I don’t fully understand what the rule is. 

“Obviously Max has been penalised from Mexico Which probably was over the limit to be honest.

“You probably see a slightly different Max for the next few races and probably a little bit more fair going into the final three rounds.”

Comparing the huge run-off areas in Brazil to his Formula E world where almost every corner has a wall, Dennis explained why the issue has become so complicated.

He added: “From an FE side it’s quite straightforward. You know if you do what is happening in F1 you generally just get penalised straight away and We don’t have too many of these situations because the track layouts don’t really allow it.

“I think in F1 the drivers are a little bit more clued up on who the outside person is. You know, they have meetings on this, they have drivers’ briefings and I think most of them understand what is allowed and what isn’t.

“But I think the inconsistency of who pushed who off the track is always a bit of a challenging one to read who was ahead at the corner.

“From my side It’s never great to see two cars fly off the track and then if one car was ahead by an inch then it’s okay.”