F1: Lewis Hamilton facing a five-place grid penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix if he changes engine

Lewis Hamilton’s bid to win a record-breaking eighth Formula One title could take a major dent with the Mercedes driver facing a grid penalty for a change of engine in Brazil.

Mercedes are considering taking on a new engine in Hamilton’s car ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos this weekend and that would bring a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race.

Hamilton enters the final four races of this season 19 points behind Red Bull title rival Max Verstappen and any grid penalty at this stage feels costly.

Mercedes are considering an engine change with Hamilton 19 points adrift at the top 

When asked about the possibility of a change of engine last night, Hamilton was coy, but refused to rule it out.

‘I cannot really comment (on a new engine) at the moment,’ Hamilton, 36, said. ‘As far as I am aware, my engines are fine, but I will find out later on.’

Hamilton, who has won just one of the last eight races, would be taking on a fifth power unit of the season after changing it in Turkey last month, only to finish fifth in Istanbul and three spots behind title favourite Verstappen.

Asked how steep the challenge is to stage a four-race comeback to crown himself the champion once more, Hamilton said: ‘I would imagine as steep as it can be. I think their pace was phenomenal in the last race.

‘They’ve had a strong car all year. They’ve had the strongest car all year, you can tell obviously. I think we’ve done as good as we think we could.’

Hamilton is chasing Max Verstappen for the title but the penalty could dash his hopes