Lewis Hamilton’s record-breaking title chase have been under pressure with another grid penalty at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

According to reports, Mercedes will be forced to change the engine combustion on Brit’s car in Interlagos, having spotted a drop in water pressure during the race in Mexico last Sunday.

Defending world champion Hamilton heads into the final stretch 19 points behind the Dutchman, and the loss of another ground at Interlagos may all but end his title charge with only 78 points remaining after Sunday’s race.

F1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli was among the first to break the news via Twitter, posting “Hamilton will change the combustion engine in Interlagos. Mercedes thought they had solved the problem they had, but they noticed a drop in water pressure during the Mexico race.”

At Wednesday’s drivers’ press conference Hamilton, refused to be drawn on the issue.

“I can’t really comment at the moment,” he told reporters. “I don’t know. I don’t think the engines have even arrived this morning.

“So as far as I’m aware currently, my engine is fine. But I’ll find out obviously, later on. We’ve not even done engineering meeting yet.”

Interlagos circuit is also expected to suit Verstappen’s Red Bull car.

“This is not a very good track for overtaking,” added Hamilton, who has just one victory from his last eight races.

“You have to have a 1.1 second advantage on the car ahead to have a 50 per cent chance, or something crazy like that, of making the move.

“I would imagine the challenge this weekend is as steep as it can be. Red Bull’s pace was phenomenal at the last race, and they have had the strongest car this year, so we have done as well as we could.

“We are going to be pushing this weekend to see if we can squeeze any more out of the car. But last time here they were incredibly strong so we anticipate they will be hard to beat.

“Every race is a must-win race and it has been that way forever – particularly since we came back from the summer break – but we have not been able to do so.”