The 2026 Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix weekend is underway at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, commonly known as Interlagos. Free Practice 3 and Qualifying sessions are scheduled for Saturday, November 7, with the main race set for Sunday, November 8. Mercedes is positioned to clinch the Constructors’ Championship, while Kimi Antonelli has already secured the Drivers’ title.
Saturday’s Free Practice 3 will run from 11:30 to 12:30 local São Paulo time (14:30 to 15:30 UTC). The crucial Qualifying session follows from 15:00 to 16:00 local time (18:00 to 19:00 UTC).
The 71-lap São Paulo Grand Prix itself is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, commencing at 14:00 local time (17:00 UTC).
Interlagos, a 4.309-kilometre circuit, presents a demanding challenge with its anti-clockwise layout and 15 corners. The track features significant elevation changes, approximately 43 to 56 metres, and sits at an altitude of around 800 metres above sea level.
Key sections include the downhill Senna S (Turns 1 and 2), Curva do Sol, and the long Reta Oposta. The technical middle sector incorporates corners such as Ferradura, Laranjinha, Pinheirinho, and Bico de Pato.
Overtaking opportunities are primarily found at the Senna S and Turn 4. The circuit demands a precise setup to balance aerodynamic downforce for the technical sections with straight-line speed.
The 2026 regulations introduce Straight Mode, which adjusts front and rear wings to reduce drag, and Overtake Mode, providing additional electrical power. These systems are active in designated zones, including the main straight and the Reta Oposta.
The weather forecast for the weekend indicates changeable conditions. Saturday is expected to be warm and partly cloudy, with temperatures between 15°C and 27.5°C. There is a 50% chance of significant rain, particularly after 14:00 local time, potentially extending into the evening.
Sunday’s race day is forecast to be considerably cooler, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 19°C. Heavy cloud cover is anticipated, keeping track temperatures below 30°C. A 40% chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms is predicted for the race.
Mercedes enters the São Paulo Grand Prix leading the Constructors’ Championship with 630 points, 126 points ahead of Ferrari, who hold 504 points. Red Bull Racing is third with 382 points.
Mercedes requires a minimum of three points more than Ferrari in São Paulo to secure the 2026 Constructors’ title. With 12 race wins compared to Ferrari’s two, Mercedes holds the tie-breaker advantage should points be equal.
Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, secured the 2026 Drivers’ World Championship at the preceding Mexico City Grand Prix. At 20 years old, Antonelli is the youngest F1 World Champion in history.
Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings with 380 points. Max Verstappen is second with 261 points, followed by Lewis Hamilton with 259 points.
Verstappen has a notable record at Interlagos, with victories in 2019, 2023, and a memorable rain-affected race in 2024.
Four rounds remain in the 2026 season after the São Paulo Grand Prix, with a maximum of 172 points still available in the Constructors’ Championship.
