The São Paulo Grand Prix marks the beginning of the final quarter of the 2026 Formula 1 season. With four races remaining, the drivers’ championship has already been decided, but Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Charles Leclerc are still fighting for second place. At the historic Interlagos circuit, Ferrari will be hoping to build on their recent progress and prevent Red Bull from claiming another victory.
Antonelli crowned champion, but second place remains wide open
Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden world championship at the previous race in Mexico, becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history at just 20 years old.
The Italian leads the standings with 380 points, followed by Max Verstappen (261), Lewis Hamilton (259), George Russell (250) and Charles Leclerc (245). Just 16 points separate Verstappen in second from Leclerc in fifth, leaving plenty at stake in the remaining races.
Important positions are still to be decided in the constructors’ championship as well. Mercedes lead with 630 points, ahead of Ferrari (504), Red Bull (382) and McLaren (365). While Mercedes are on the verge of securing the teams’ title, Ferrari are well placed to finish runners-up.
Ferrari must resolve tensions between Hamilton and Leclerc
The biggest controversy heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix surrounds Ferrari’s two drivers. Hamilton started from pole position in Mexico but lost crucial ground following an aggressive first-lap battle with team-mate Leclerc.
Both drivers ran off the track at Turn 4. Leclerc moved ahead of Hamilton while off the circuit and subsequently received a five-second penalty. Verstappen benefited from their battle and went on to win the race ahead of Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion made it clear afterwards that he believed Ferrari had squandered a potential one-two finish. His frustration was still evident on Thursday in São Paulo, where he called for discussions with Leclerc and team principal Frédéric Vasseur to prevent similar incidents.
Leclerc had already accepted that the time penalty was justified, although he regarded the battle itself as a normal racing incident. The Monegasque arrived late in Brazil following the birth of his first child.
There are nevertheless reasons for optimism at Ferrari. The Scuderia have become considerably more competitive in recent races, with Hamilton taking pole in Mexico and finishing second behind Verstappen.
Interlagos: A short lap packed with challenges
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace is one of Formula 1’s most historic venues, having first hosted a Grand Prix in 1973. The circuit measures just 4.309 kilometres, with Sunday’s race scheduled for 71 laps and a total distance of 305.879 kilometres.
The track runs anticlockwise and features several distinctive sections, including the famous Senna S immediately after the start-finish straight, a demanding technical middle sector and the long uphill acceleration zone leading back towards the finish line.
Car setup requires a careful compromise. Drivers need sufficient downforce to navigate the tighter corners, but excessive aerodynamic drag can cost valuable speed along the extended flat-out sections.
Interlagos is also regarded as one of the more overtaking-friendly circuits on the calendar. Last year’s race featured numerous changes of position and ranked among the season’s leading Grands Prix for overtaking.
Rain could add another twist
The weather represents an additional uncertainty. The probability of rain is currently around 50 per cent for Saturday and 40 per cent for Sunday. Sudden showers are a familiar feature of racing at Interlagos and can dramatically affect the competitive order, particularly when teams face difficult tyre decisions.
Lando Norris won the 2025 race ahead of Antonelli and Verstappen. The official race lap record remains Valtteri Bottas’s 1:10.540, set in 2018.
Qualifying gets underway on Saturday at 19:00 CET, with Sunday’s Grand Prix scheduled to start at 18:00 CET. Unlike some previous editions, this year’s São Paulo event does not feature a sprint race.
With the world championship already settled, attention now turns to the fight for second place, Ferrari’s internal rivalry and whether Verstappen can follow up his Mexico victory with another win in Brazil.
