The title driver is played, but not quite the constructors title: Mercedes intends to validate in Brazil the double drivers and builders for the fifth consecutive season, which would allow him to equal Schumacher and Ferrari sacred from 2000 to 2004.

Behind the advanced teams, others, starting with Renault, want to confirm this weekend their steady progress.

The podium of the manufacturers is already complete: after the fifth driver's title won by Lewis Hamilton in Mexico, Mercedes should normally conquer without much trouble his fifth title constructors in front of Ferrari. With 55 points ahead, it will be done this weekend or in Abu Dhabi two weeks later.

Red Bull has long since taken third place. But this twentieth and penultimate round of the 2018 season can be decisive for Renault, which is just ahead of twenty Haas points. The American team lost ten units with the disqualifications of Frenchman Romain Grosjean in Italy for a flat bottom non-compliant then the Dane Kevin Magnussen in the United States for a gas consumption too high.

Haas, built from scratch from 2015, does not benefit from the same means as the French manufacturer but relies on a very powerful engine provided by Ferrari.

The tricolor team finished 6th in 2017 and 8th in 2016 when Force India established itself as the 4th strength on the board in the previous two seasons. Renault benefited from the financial setbacks and the change of ownership of the latter, renamed Racing Point Force India, which lost in the operation the points acquired during the first twelve rounds of the season.

New engine and Ricciardo

In addition to confirming its gradual return to the forefront started with the acquisition of Lotus almost four years ago, the financial challenge is also significant for Renault. A fourth place would bring him about 20 million euros more, of what to fund additional developments on the 2019 single-seater.

"The weather can complicate things, it can be very hot and humid," warns Grosjean. "Interlagos, however, should be a good Grand Prix for us," he adds. "It's a hard enough track, with few moments where we can blow: even in a straight line, we can not rest as much as we would like," says the native of Geneva.

Next season will be marked at Renault by the arrival of a new engine expected to fill the gap of power still important with Mercedes and Ferrari, as well as the arrival of the Australian Daniel Ricciardo, for which the team directed by Cyril Abiteboul has made a significant investment with a contract of 15 million euros per season.

An extension of the Viry-Châtillon power plant is underway, and the upgrade of Enstone's dedicated chassis has recently been finalized.

Brazil succeeds in Hulkenberg

"Compared to the last two races, Interlagos may be less suited to our + package +, but we think we are competitive," says executive director Marcin Budkowski.

Last year's recruitment of the Pole, former F1 technical director of the FIA, had sparked an outcry from the competition. "It's always nice to go to a country and a circuit where people are passionate," says Budkowski.

"The atmosphere is exceptional in Brazil, which is also a key market for Renault," he recalls. Heavy rains expected Saturday and Sunday this weekend should not shower the enthusiasm of fans like that of Nico Hulkenberg.

The German of Renault certainly holds the unenviable record of the greatest number of races contested without having ever finished on the podium. But his only pole position was acquired in 2010 at Interlagos, circuit which succeeds him the best since he finished in the points during his seven participations.

"Many world titles have been played, but also moments of F1," said Hulkenberg. "We feel all these emotions on a ride and that's why it's really different , " said the 31-year-old.

The Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr, who is one of his last two races for the diamond brand before joining McLaren, will also be keen to shine on a route he compares to "roller coaster" .