The São Paulo GP Watchlist
Here are five things you should know ahead of our weekend at Interlagos
Published
05 NOV 2026
Est. reading time
2 min
Formula 1 heads to Brazil for Round 20 of the 2026 season, with the grid preparing for another challenge at the iconic Autódromo José Carlos Pace.
There’s plenty to keep an eye on this weekend, both on and off the track. Here are five things to look out for ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix!
Luke takes the wheel
Luke ahead of his seat fit in Brazil
Luke Browning is back in FP1 for his latest outing with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team, this time stepping into Carlos Sainz’s FW48. The session marks another opportunity for our reserve driver to gain valuable experience, provide feedback and help the team with its preparations for the weekend. Make sure to keep an eye out for Luke as he gets behind the wheel in São Paulo!
Keep an eye on the weather
Rain could play a part in the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend, with a 70% chance of showers on Qualifying day and 35% on Race day. A wet qualifying session could shake up the starting grid, while rain during the Grand Prix could make conditions tricky for the drivers and bring tyre strategy into play. Keep an eye on the forecast, as the weather could have a big say in how the weekend unfolds.
The 2024 weekend was heavily influenced by the weather
Mastering the Senna S
One of the most recognisable sequences in Formula 1, the Senna S kicks off the lap at Interlagos. Named after Brazilian racing legend Ayrton Senna, the combination of Turns 1 and 2 takes drivers downhill before sweeping left through Turn 3. It's a prime spot for overtaking, particularly on the opening lap, so keep an eye on Alex and Carlos as they battle their way through the pack.
What goes up must come down
Interlagos is known for its elevation changes, with the circuit climbing and dropping throughout the lap. At just 4.309km, it's one of the shorter tracks on the calendar, but its 15 corners and 43m of elevation change make it a challenge for the drivers. Finding the right setup is crucial with plenty of different demands across a single lap.
No sprint this weekend
After a run of Sprint weekends, the São Paulo Grand Prix returns to the traditional format in 2026. That means there’s no Sprint race on Saturday, with the drivers instead having a full qualifying session to set the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix. It also gives the teams a little more time to work on their setups and prepare for the race.
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