Nowhere in motor racing is like Interlagos. Monaco is glitzier, Monza is more historical. But as a spitting cauldron of drama nothing can match these 2.6miles close to the shanty towns.

In the paddock on Friday, the pre-race friction was unfolding in the Red Bull team building. Under discussion was a bold intervention by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

He had been on the phone to Jos Verstappen to ask if his son Max, the exciting, elbows-out tyro, would kindly tootle carefully around the two title contenders, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

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Lewis Hamilton could still win the driver's championship, but only if he wins at Interlagos

If Nico Rosberg is victorious in Brazil, he will be crowned 2016 F1 champion

That idea was snorted at by Red Bull. We pay Max and we expect him to race, was the gist of their response.

Verstappen Snr, Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner were locked in close dialogue at 8.45am, with Wolff later confirming: 'Jos and I talk regularly and he knows that I'm a fan of Max.

'My main message for Jos was that he should come to races again because he seems to be the only guy Max really listens to and respects. And I also said to him that it would be bad for Max if he was remembered for deciding the world championship through a reckless move against one of our drivers.

'Everybody wants to see hard racing but, for the sake of Max and of our boys, an all-in move that could ultimately kill their championship aspirations is too much.'

This row, however, will be nothing compared to the drama that could unfold on this storied track if the forecast of rain is correct.

If Rosberg wins the race, he takes the title. If Hamilton prevails, the fight goes to the deciding round in Abu Dhabi a fortnight hence.

The small white box in the bottom right could contain the most important factor of all

So what is the likely outcome? McLaren's Jenson Button, who won the world title at Interlagos with Brawn in 2009, summed it up neatly: 'If it's wet here, Lewis for the title; if it's dry here, Nico.'

Ah, the rain. It came to Hamilton's aid in the most astonishing moment of modern Formula One, when Timo Glock's Toyota slowed in the wet on the final lap of the 2008 season. Hamilton squeezed through to finish fifth and take the title.

The demeanour of the two current title protagonists is calm. Hamilton spent two and a half hours with his engineers on Thursday afternoon, showing that he is now fully focused on his task. He followed that up by being fastest in both practice sessions yesterday, lending weight to expectation that he will register his first win in Brazil.

Rosberg has been chatty in the paddock, talking in private about a range of topics away from motor racing.

He is either trying to distract himself from what he might be about to achieve (including a £1.6million championship bonus) or he is genuinely at ease. It is probably a bit of both.

Verstappen in action on the track - while discussion and debate rages about him off it

Hamilton won his first title in Brazil in 2008, thanks mainly to the driving rain

Rosberg will hoping for similar weather on Sunday - bright sunshine rather than a downpour

MAX VERSTAPPEN IN 2016 Races: 19 Podiums: 6; Wins: 1 (Spain, 2016) Points: 177 World Championship ranking: 6th

The paddock area here has been greatly modernised since last year. Actually, the old buildings, including a press centre with a leaking roof, were part of the place's charm, so the renovations are a mixed blessing.

The future of the race is in doubt, with cost being potentially prohibitive in a country beset by financial hardship. But Bernie Ecclestone went to see Brazil's new president, Michel Temer, on Thursday, providing hope that Interlagos will not be wiped off the calendar.

Losing this venue would be a shame given that it is situated just down the road from the birthplace and the grave of Ayrton Senna, Brazil's greatest sporting hero.

Felipe Massa drove and lived in Senna's shadow, but how the crowds here hissed their pantomime hatred of Hamilton when the two men went head-to-head for the title eight years ago. Now this is Massa's penultimate race. He will retire with 250 grands prix to his name.