NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix

The current triple header will come to a thrilling conclusion with Round 20 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.

Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, November 6, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, November 7, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, November 8.

Vital statistics

• First Grand Prix – 1973
• Track Length – 4.309km
• Lap record – 1m 10.540s, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 2018
• Most pole positions – Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen (3)
• Most wins – Michael Schumacher (4)
• Trivia – Interlagos was built in 1938, on a plot of land unsuitable for housing. The circuit is named after Jose Carlos Pace, who won here in 1975 for Brabham
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 202m
• Overtakes completed in 2025 – 96
• Safety Car probability – 86%*
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 57%*
• Pit stop time loss – 21.83 seconds

*From the last seven races in Sao Paulo

The driver’s verdict

Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Interlagos has a tricky first corner, you can brake much later than you imagine and carry speed into the apex – but go too late and it's easy to lock up the front left.

The middle sector here is all about the flow, the corners come thick and fast. One lock-up in either of the tight right-handers and it puts you off line and out of sync for the whole lot. It's easy to lock up as well because you are loaded laterally on the entries there. It's a technical sector where the rhythm is everything.

The final corner is critical, it's all about exit speed to carry you onto the whopping straight back up the hill. You've got to get the right balance between opening up the corner and taking too much kerb as well, which can unsettle the car and cost you exit speed.

Overall it's a short but fun circuit to drive. The anti-clockwise nature and long, loaded left-handers make this one a bit harder physically for the drivers as well. By the end of this race you might be feeling it on the neck, which isn't used to being loaded up so much on that side.

Last five GP polesitters in Sao Paulo

• 2025 – Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 2024 – Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2022 – Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
• 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Last five GP winners in Sao Paulo

• 2025 – Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 2024 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2022 – George Russell (Mercedes)
• 2021 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Tyre and strategy insight

“For this iconic venue, Pirelli has selected the following compound trio: C3 as hard, C4 as medium and C5 as soft,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview. “The choice is therefore one step softer than last year, when the weekend featured the Sprint format.

“The Brazilian circuit features several changes compared to last season. During the year, resurfacing work was carried out on the section between Turns 3 and 5 and between Turns 8 and 9. These newly surfaced areas could alter grip levels and track evolution over the course of the weekend, particularly affecting tyre behaviour over longer runs. The three free practice sessions will provide an opportunity to assess track evolution and understand how the new surface influences degradation and wear.

“Twelve months ago, tyre degradation was one of the key technical factors in Sao Paulo. Although graining was less pronounced than initially expected, the C2 compound (used as the hard tyre that year) showed some tendency to slide, while the C3 and C4 displayed significant degradation, albeit still allowing competitive stints. The most effective strategy proved to be a two-stop race.

“In terms of tyre loads, Interlagos generates overall lateral forces that are broadly average, while combining several high-speed corners with long straights. The layout therefore does not place extreme demands on the tyres, with loads distributed fairly evenly between the front and rear axles.

“The numerous overtaking opportunities offered by the circuit’s flowing layout give teams a degree of strategic flexibility, but managing degradation traditionally remains the key factor in maximising race performance. Finding the right balance between single-lap pace and tyre management over longer stints will be one of the main objectives of the teams’ trackside work during the Brazilian weekend.

“It is also worth remembering that, because of the event’s position in the calendar, Interlagos is a circuit where rain and significant temperature fluctuations are often a factor. Intermediate and full wet tyres could therefore come into play in Brazil once again this year.”

Current form

Kimi Antonelli wrapped up his maiden Drivers’ Championship with four rounds to go last time out in Mexico City, where he confidently dispatched Charles Leclerc to finish third behind race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

While the Red Bull driver was delighted to achieve his third victory in four events, Hamilton wasn’t quite as satisfied with his result, having started from pole position – his first for Ferrari – before another tense battle with his team mate unfolded.

Although Antonelli will have been buoyed by his historic title triumph and may look to add another win to his tally, especially now that he has nothing to lose, the same can’t be said for George Russell in the other Mercedes. A deployment issue on the opening lap, 10-second time penalty, and loss of the championship combined to make it a less than ideal weekend for the Briton.

He’ll be hoping to reset as the contest for P2 heats up, with Verstappen climbing to second place two points ahead of Hamilton. Russell is now a further nine points behind whilst Leclerc closes in from fifth, and Lando Norris’ flashes of performance in Mexico City means that he shouldn’t be ruled out quite yet.

Unfortunately for McLaren, it’s likely that they’ll be toppled as Teams’ Champions by Mercedes, who only need to outscore Ferrari by three points in order to secure both titles for the first time since 2020.

In the midfield, all eyes will be on debutant Rafael Camara as he replaces Esteban Ocon ahead of his planned arrival at Haas next season, racing a 2026 challenger for the first time at his home event.

Iconic moment

It’s tricky to choose a highlight from an event that’s played host to so many memorable incidents and championship deciders, but you can’t mention Brazil without bringing up the chaos of 2008.

Back then, Interlagos hosted the season finale, and a 23-year-old Hamilton arrived seven points ahead of his rival and Sao Paulo native Felipe Massa. Needing a significant points swing to win the title, the latter took a crucial first step when he stormed to pole position in front of his high-spirited home crowd.

You couldn’t fault Massa for his determination as he reached the chequered flag first in rainy conditions, and with Hamilton only running in sixth, it seemed that he would just about pip him to glory.

But then came ITV commentator Martin Brundle’s iconic cry of “Is that Glock?!” as the Toyota driver, having stuck with dry tyres whilst the weather worsened, slowed on the final lap. That gave Hamilton a perfect chance to improve to P5 and snatch the title by a single point.

Watch the unforgettable action as it unfolded in the clip below...