Formula 1 returns to Brazil and the famous Interlagos circuit for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, round 20 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli became F1’s youngest-ever world champion as his podium last time out in Mexico City gave the 20-year-old Italian an unassailable lead in the championship race with four rounds remaining.
Max Verstappen continued his excellent run of form with a third victory in four races and now the Red Bull driver has leapt up to second in the leaderboard, two points clear of third-placed Lewis Hamilton and 11 points ahead of fourth-placed George Russell.
Hamilton was furious with his Ferrari team after seeing a win fall away in Mexico City following an early tangle with teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton is a three-time winner at the Interlagos circuit, the venue where he memorably won his first title in 2008.
Follow live action from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix with The Independent.
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F1 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- TOP-3: Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar (Lap 66/71)
- Lando Norris started on pole; Antonelli 2nd; Lawson 3rd
- Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen started from the back
- FEATURE: 24 ‘pointless races’ in 10 years: Formula 1 has an end-of-season problem
Lando Norris wins the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
18:40 , Kieran JacksonA third victory of the season and second in a row at Interlagos - Norris wins in Brazil!
Max Verstappen surges from 21st to second while Isack Hadjar earns Red Bull a double podium.
4-10: Russell, Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Lawson, Hamilton, Hulkenberg
That also confirms Mercedes as constructors champions this year!
Final lap
18:38 , Kieran JacksonNorris leads comfortably - while Leclerc and Lawson go hammer and tong for seventh place!
Leclerc touches Lawson at the final turn... and then gets past a few corners later!
Norris has a comfortable lead (Lap 68/71)
18:34 , Kieran JacksonIt’s wet - so anything could happen - but Norris has a 13-second lead over Verstappen at the front.
Closest battle in the top-10 is Leclerc, in eighth, within a second of Lawson.
Antonelli and Russell swap (Lap 64/71)
18:30 , Kieran JacksonThe Briton moves on beyond his Italian teammate - can he catch Hadjar for a podium spot?
Frontrunners pit (Lap 63/71)
18:28 , Kieran JacksonThey all dive in - and move to inters!
Top-10: Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Lawson, Leclerc, Hamilton, Lindblad
Hamilton spins but keeps it out the wall...
Rain is coming (Lap 62/71)
18:25 , Kieran JacksonThis is fun now!
The rain is heavier and they’ll probably have to pit for inters here!
George Russell in sixth dives in...
Sao Paulo Grand Prix
18:20 , Kieran Jackson
Top-10 (Lap 54/71)
18:16 , Kieran Jackson1. Norris - leader
2. Verstappen
3. Hadjar
4. Russell
5. Antonelli
6. Piastri
7. Leclerc
8. Lawson
9. Hamilton
10. Hulkenberg
Hadjar pits (Lap 51/71)
18:12 , Kieran JacksonRed Bull ignore their driver’s wishes and pit Hadjar - he’s now in sixth.
Antonelli now retakes the lead.
Norris pits (Lap 50/71)
18:10 , Kieran JacksonEventually, McLaren decide to cover off Verstappen.
Norris comes out around five seconds clear of the Dutchman.
Isack Hadjar - who has hinted he wants to go to the end on these tyres - now leads the race!
Verstappen pits (Lap 46/71)
18:05 , Kieran JacksonQuick stop for Verstappen for his second stop - and he comes out in fifth.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has unlapped himself on Norris and is now the quickest car on track. He’s in 11th.
Verstappen: (Lap 44/71)
18:02 , Kieran JacksonEngineer: “Norris talking about going to the end, thoughts?”
Verstappen: “No, no we cannot.”
Top-10 after 40 laps
17:59 , Kieran Jackson1. Norris - leader
2. Verstappen +10.1
3. Hadjar 1.0
4. Antonelli +6.5
5. Piastri +6.5
6. Lawson +11.7
7. Russell +4.5
8. Hulkenberg +10.3
9. Lindblad +2.2
10. Leclerc 10.3
Hamilton pits again (Lap 40/71)
17:57 , Kieran JacksonA second stop for Hamilton, onto a new set of softs.
Rather embarrasingly, he is now a lap down on leader Lando Norris.
Verstappen up to second (Lap 38/71)
17:56 , Kieran JacksonRed Bull do indeed tell Hadjar to cede second - the Frenchman moves aside at turn 1.
Lando Norris is now nine seconds down the road...
Verstappen on Hadjar's heels (Lap 36/71)
17:52 , Kieran JacksonThink Red Bull may intervene shortly - Verstappen now within a second of Hadjar.
Norris’ lead at the front is seven seconds...
Hamilton up to ninth (Lap 29/71)
17:45 , Kieran JacksonBit of progress for Lewis, who moves up to ninth from 11th.
Next up is Nico Hulkenberg, who has just been passed by George Russell.
Top-10 after 25 laps
17:40 , Kieran Jackson1. Norris - leader
2. Hadjar +3.2
3. Verstappen +4.3
4. Antonelli +3.6
5. Piastri +10.6
6. Lawson +1.5
7. Hulkenberg +10.7
8. Russell 0.4
9. Lindblad +3.2
10. Albon +1.1
Antonelli goes off again (Lap 24/71)
17:38 , Kieran JacksonThe Italian just can’t make the car stick on the road!
He goes wide again at turn 2 and Verstappen says ‘thank you very much’ to take third place.
From P21 to P3 in 24 laps. Not bad from the Dutchman.
Antonelli drops to third (Lap 21/71)
17:35 , Kieran JacksonThe world champion is really struggling - Isack Hadjar makes a straightforward overtake at turn 1 this time.
Antonelli: “Bono the car is pulling on one side when accelerating, it’s so weird.”
Antonelli spins out of the lead (Lap 20/71)
17:32 , Kieran JacksonAntonelli spins at turn 1!
He was struggling with tyre temperature and spins out of the lead! He rejoins in second - and Lando Norris takes the lead!
Top-10: Norris, Antonelli, Hadjar, Verstappen, Lawson, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Russell, Albon, Lindblad
Whole field pits (Lap 18/71)
17:29 , Kieran JacksonChaos as Russell spins coming out of the narrow pit-exit - he drops down the order!
Antonelli keeps the lead from Norris - Hamilton is up to 13th after making the switch early on.
Yet Verstappen is now fourth!
Hamilton pits (Lap 15/71)
17:25 , Kieran JacksonFerrari do now pull the trigger.
Off come the inters, on come the softs.
At the front, Antonelli’s lead to Norris is 7.2 seconds. When will the frontrunners switch to slicks?
Hamilton wants slicks (Lap 12/71)
17:20 , Kieran JacksonHamilton: “I want to pit and come in for slicks!”
Engineer: “Negative, this is not the cross-over yet.”
Lewis Hamilton dropping down order (Lap 10/71)
17:18 , Kieran JacksonOh dear.
Hamilton drops two spots after being told to cede the positions by the stewards due to a clash with Bearman at turn five on lap one - and now he’s been passed by Charles Leclerc and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso!
13th now for Hamilton.
George Russell, meanwhile, is now in the podium places in third after an overtake on Russell.
Norris up to second (Lap 7/71)
17:13 , Kieran JacksonLiam Lawson is starting to struggle now.
He valiantly looks to fend off Norris but no can do - the McLaren takes second and Lawson then drops behind the Red Bull of Isack Hadjar.
Top-10: Antonelli, Norris, Hadjar, Lawson, Russell, Hulkenberg, Verstappen, Piastri, Albon, Hamilton
Verstappen up to P7
17:12 , Kieran JacksonTerrific wet-weather driving!
Verstappen is such a master in these conditions and he overtakes Piastri and Albon in the space of two corners.
He couldn’t... could he?
Verstappen passes Hamilton (Lap 4/71)
17:10 , Kieran JacksonHamilton went wide in sector three and Verstappen takes advantage, moving up to ninth.
Top-10: Antonelli, Lawson, Norris, Hadjar, Russell, Hulkenberg, Albon, Piastri, Verstappen, Hamilton
Leclerc has not moved at all though - down in P14.
Hamilton up to ninth (Lap 2/71)
17:06 , Kieran JacksonThe seven-time world champion is up by an astonishing 11 places on lap one!
Max Verstappen also making inroads, up 10 places to 11th.
Antonelli’s lead is one second over Lawson..
Kimi Antonelli takes the lead
17:04 , Kieran JacksonBrilliant start from Antonelli who steals a march on Norris at the start - the Italian in the lead!
Norris has also dropped behind Liam Lawson, who is up to P2.
Lewis Hamilton at the back, meanwhile, has stormed up to P12!
Formation lap
17:01 , Kieran JacksonLast year’s world champion Norris leads the pack around then for the formation lap - with Hamilton and Verstappen right at the back.
All on inters, unsurprisingly.
Valtteri Bottas, incidentally, has been wheeled off the grid with a locked wheel nut. That’s another car off the grid that Hamilton and Verstappen have to pass.
Sao Paulo Grand Prix
16:56 , Kieran JacksonSo... what’s in store this afternoon?
Lando Norris starts on pole alongside Kimi Antonelli, who spun in his lap to the grid! But with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the back, there’ll be plenty of action to keep an eye on.
Brazil usually delivers and in damp conditions once again, it looks set to do so again today.
George Russell who starts P7:
16:49 , Kieran Jackson“Very different to yesterday when it was wetter but much hotter, but same boat for everyone.
“They’re expecting it to stay like this - I’d be very surprised if we see slicks today.”
Time for the Brazil national anthem
16:48 , Kieran JacksonWith the likes of Neymar and Cafu looking on, the Brazilian national anthem rings out at Interlagos!
Ex-Ferrari driver Jean Alesi on Ferrari drivers:
16:42 , Kieran Jackson“They make the Ferrari fans very upset but they are great champions.
Lewis Hamilton on his 400th F1 start today:
16:40 , Kieran Jackson"It is such a beautiful place. I have been so privileged to be able to come out and race here since 2007, win my first championship here and get to race in a place I raced in computer games as Ayrton Senna back in the day.
"I grew up in a time where I did get to see Ayrton race. To come to his home country and receive so much positivity always is a real treat and something I am really grateful for."
BATTLE FOR SECOND: Driver standings ahead of Sao Paulo GP
16:30 , Kieran Jackson1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 380 points
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 261 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 259 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) - 250 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 245 points
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 221 points
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 144 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 107 points
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 83 points
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 points
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella on Norris' pole:
16:22 , Kieran Jackson"This Pole position is a real source of satisfaction. Congratulations to Lando, who, in very difficult conditions, put in an excellent lap at the decisive moment at the start of Q3. The whole team did a good job of managing a very tricky session due to the rapidly changing weather conditions.
“It’s a shame about Oscar, who was let down by a Red Flag just as he was about to complete a lap that would probably have seen him make the cut in Q2. It was difficult to judge the right moment to switch to Intermediate tyres, and the Red Flag was beyond our control.”
George Russell after qualifying second:
16:13 , Kieran Jackson"Gives me the confidence and reminds me again that I haven't forgotten how to drive," he said. "That's important in circumstances like these and it would have meant a lot to me to clinch the pole with a great performance like we showed in qualifying."
He added: "I felt really confident in the rain. I think my pace, along with Lando's, was by far the best out there.
"In the rain here, it's always a challenge. I hope it is wet tomorrow. I feel I've got a greater chance if it's wet."
Constructor standings ahead of Sao Paulo GP
16:05 , Kieran Jackson1. Mercedes - 630 points
2. Ferrari - 504 points
3. Red Bull - 382 points
4. McLaren - 365 points
5. Racing Bulls - 108 points
6. Alpine - 69 points
7. Haas - 31 points
8. Audi - 27 points
9. Williams - 12 points
10. Aston Martin - 7 points
11. Cadillac - 0 points
COMMENT: Forget aura, forget Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton got his big move wrong – and this is why
15:57 , Kieran JacksonAs he so often has before, Lewis Hamilton put on a brave face. A sight more commendable than usual, given the visceral anger bubbling beneath the surface.
Upon parking up in the Foro Sol stadium section in Mexico City last Sunday, Hamilton was the first to congratulate new world champion Kimi Antonelli, his Mercedes team whom he knows inside out, and his race engineer Peter Bonnington, the man-in-his-ear for his six world titles with the Silver Arrows. His happiness for the Italian, 21 years his junior, was authentically real. And yet, deep down, there can be no doubt that Hamilton would have felt a lingering sense of what might have been.
Forget aura, forget Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton got his big move wrong – and this is why
F1 and Sao Paulo extend contract to 2035
15:47 , Kieran Jackson"Brazil is an important part of F1's history and our future, and I am delighted that this five-year extension will see us continue racing in Sao Paulo until 2035,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
"The passion of our Brazilian fans is extraordinary, and every time we return to Interlagos we feel their energy in the grandstands and in the city of Sao Paulo.
"The continued success and excitement surrounding the event shows why it holds such a special place on our calendar, and this agreement underlines our long-term commitment to Brazil."
PREVIEW: 24 ‘pointless races’ in 10 years: Formula 1 has an end-of-season problem
15:40 , Kieran JacksonAmidst the current hoopla surrounding sporting events in the Middle East – this weekend, MotoGP’s final round in Qatar is going ahead amid an extraordinary emergency shelter plan – there is an altogether obvious tone to take regarding the final two rounds of this year’s Formula 1 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Whether they are cancelled, go ahead, or a one-off round in Imola takes place, it ultimately does not matter. That is, at least, from a sporting perspective.
Full piece below:
24 ‘pointless races’ in 10 years: Formula 1 has an end-of-season problem
Max Verstappen on being second in the world championship:
15:30 , Kieran Jackson"It's a big surprise to be second in the championship, but we take it," Verstappen said.
"We had a lot of difficulties as a team in the beginning. The car was not where we wanted it to be. Probably also we still had to learn quite a bit from the power units, and I think we really learned a lot throughout the season.
"From my side, it's just you never really give up or, in terms of, like, you just never really settle for P6 or P7, right?
"Even when I was in that position or fighting the midfield, I was still trying to do the best that I could get out of the situation.”
Lando Norris after claiming pole:
15:20 , Kieran Jackson“It’s been a long day, great qualifying - different conditions to last year, I’m very happy! Not easy conditions, it was about not making any mistakes, it’s been a very good day.”
“This is my first time driving the car in the wet, figured it out pretty quick. Very windy last few laps, good learning to take into tomorrow.”
What is the starting grid?
15:10 , Kieran JacksonBoy is it a mixed-up grid today...
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
4. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
6. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
7. George Russell (Mercedes)**
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
9. Alex Albon (Williams)
10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
11. Rafael Camara (Haas)
12. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)***
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
18. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
20. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)*
21. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)*
22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
*Hamilton, Perez and Verstappen have back-of-the-grid penalties for exceeding their engine allocation
**Russell has a five-place grid drop
***Leclerc has a 10-place grid drop
What time is the race?
15:04 , Kieran JacksonThe Sao Paulo Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 5pm GMT.
Sao Paulo Grand Prix
15:01 , Kieran JacksonGood afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix - and it’s all set up to be a cracker!
It’s not all about the front of the grid today, where Lando Norris will be on pole ahead of Kimi Antonelli. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen start at the back after taking engine penalties and they’ll both be looking to waltz their way through the field.
What’s more: rain is on the forecast at Interlagos. This should be fun!
A reminder of the starting grid:
12:41 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
4. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
6. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
7. George Russell (Mercedes)
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
9. Alex Albon (Williams)
10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
11. Rafael Camara (Haas)
12. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
13. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
15. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
16. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
17. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
18. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
20. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
21. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
What is the starting grid?
Saturday 7 November 2026 21:30 , Kieran JacksonI think this is right...
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
4. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
6. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
7. George Russell (Mercedes)**
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
9. Alex Albon (Williams)
10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
11. Rafael Camara (Haas)
12. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)***
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
18. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
20. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)*
21. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)*
22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
*Hamilton, Perez and Verstappen have back-of-the-grid penalties for exceeding their engine allocation
**Russell has a five-place grid drop
***Leclerc has a 10-place grid drop
George Russell, who qualified in P2:
Saturday 7 November 2026 21:10 , Kieran Jackson“Congrats to Lando but definitely was the pole lap, misjudgment on our side, need to understand what went wrong our end.
“First time in a while I felt like myself, more confident in the wet then the dry, but unfortunately, when it mattered, we didn’t execute.”
Kimi Antonelli after claiming third:
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:46 , Kieran Jackson"It was very tricky, didn't know what to expect, never driven here in the wet. Struggled in the inters, but still enough for P3, happy with that. Let's see the weather, overall we'll try to be ready for anything.
“A lot more knowledge ahead of tomorrow but the weather has been very unpredictable.”
Lando Norris on pole position
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:39 , Kieran JacksonThat’s it then - Lando takes pole!
Very impressive... but that’s the one that got away from Russell!
Top-10 in Q3
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:26 , Kieran JacksonThat will be it! Here’s the results - with penalties to come!
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
7. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
8. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
10. Alex Albon (Williams)
George Russell on team radio:
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:22 , Kieran JacksonRussell: “Mate you told me to back off, what the hell!
Wolff: “George you’re P2...”
Russell: “P2, I don’t want to be P2, I want to be P1.”
He’s not happy. He does have a five-place grid penalty anyway...
Norris in P1
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:21 , Kieran JacksonNorris now two-tenths clear of Russell in P1 - and it’s now raining heavily!
Could that be it?!
6:35 left in Q3...
George Russell on provisional pole
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:20 , Kieran JacksonRussell is top, four-tenths clear of Norris, with Lawson in third - eight-tenths down.
The track is just about holding on!
4-10: Antonelli, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Hadjar, Alonso, Albon
Q3 underway
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:15 , Kieran JacksonThis is tense!
They may just get one lap in with more rain on the radar... Fernando Alonso is the driver out in front.
Could it be a dream pole for Aston Martin?!
Q3 will start shortly
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:13 , Kieran JacksonFernando Alonso among the cars to speed up and go to the end of the pit-lane.
It’s very, very dark now - and there’s more rain coming...
Start of Q3 delayed
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:10 , Kieran JacksonA delay here just while they fix the barrier at the scene of Camara’s crash...
Out in Q2
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:07 , Kieran Jackson11. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
12. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
13. Rafael Camara (Haas)
14. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
16. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Camara crashes
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:05 , Kieran JacksonRafael Camara is in the wall at turn 5! Looks a big crash, but he’s all OK.
And with less than a minute left in Q2, that’s it - and Oscar Piastri is out in Q2!
Out in Q2 (11-16): Hamilton, Piastri, Camara, Lindblad, Sainz, Verstappen
Inters now quickest
Saturday 7 November 2026 20:02 , Kieran JacksonWoah, the difference is massive.
P1 constantly changing all the time... who will make it through to Q3?
Mercedes one-two
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:59 , Kieran JacksonRussell and Antonelli sit at the top.
Lewis Hamilton, who starts at the back with Verstappen, is having too much fun and is still running!
And now Hadjar and Alonso are boxing for inters with five minutes left in Q2...
Current bottom-six (11-16): Camara, Lindblad, Sainz, Bearman, Albon, Verstappen
George Russell on team radio:
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:52 , Kieran Jackson“I mean the water level looks inters but the extremes are still doing quite well.”
Maybe inters for Q3?
Q2 underway
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:50 , Kieran Jackson15 minutes for the next wet session - and Max Verstappen won’t be taking part.
He starts at the back of the grid and he wants to save some tyres...
Out in Q1
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:46 , Kieran Jackson17. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
21. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
22. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
Both Alpines out
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:45 , Kieran JacksonPierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both out!
Out in Q1 (17-22): Colapinto, Gasly, Stroll, Bottas, Perez, Bortoleto
Russell now first
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:40 , Kieran JacksonSuper lap from Mr Saturday - he goes top, followed by Norris and Antonelli.
Current bottom-six (17-22): Perez, Colapinto, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Bortoleto
2:00 to go in Q1..
Bortoleto out
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:37 , Kieran JacksonHe’s ruined his rear-wing - he’s out.
Shame for the home hero.
Bortoleto crashes
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:35 , Kieran JacksonThe Brazilian has slammed into the wall - but has managed to rejoin the the track.
Times are tumbling every minute at the moment - currently the top-3 reads: Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Sainz.
Anything could happen in the remaining 7 minutes in Q1!
Q1 underway
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:29 , Kieran JacksonThat was quick!
We’re back underway... and they’re all out there on full wets!
FIA:
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:27 , Kieran Jackson“Some final work being done by the marshals on track to clear the most sensitive areas.
“The level of rain is expected to remain stable for the foreseeable future.”
Should be underway soon...
Bernd Maylander:
Saturday 7 November 2026 19:15 , Kieran Jackson"It's too dangerous," he adds. "There is a lot of standing water, even on the straights, and that creates high-speed aquaplaning. And safety-wise, hopefully the rain will be less and we will try again. We will try all our best.
"We were not expecting that amount of rain, so it can change here very simply - that's why it's called Interlagos ('between the lakes').
"So let's see what happens in the next 10-15 minutes and we try it again."
Rain getting worse
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:52 , Kieran JacksonNot good.
FIA: “The feedback is not positive, conditions have worsened since his last outing.
“Further intensification of rain is expected for the next 10 mins.”
FIA STATEMENT
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:39 , Kieran JacksonSafety car driver Bernd Maylander has been out on track:
“Bernd’s feedback is that Turn 2,3 and the area from Turn 4 to Turn 5 are the current issues where standing water could cause aquaplaning.”
The concern is that there’s more heavy rain expected...
FIA STATEMENT:
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:31 , Kieran Jackson“Marshals currently working at various corners around the track to clear any standing water.
“The current low level intensity of rain is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.”
Rain still falling
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:25 , Kieran JacksonThe medical car has been out on the circuit in Interlagos - but it’s still falling.
No resumption time yet.
FIA STATEMENT
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:15 , Kieran JacksonWe expect this level of rain to continue for about 10 minutes. Once the conditions improve we intend to send the medical on track to assess the level of standing water.
Rain, rain, rain
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:08 , Kieran Jackson“Wow, that was a nasty little shower - I’m so wet,” says Antonelli.
“I need a new suit,” says Isack Hadjar.
RED FLAG
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:03 , Kieran JacksonNo incident but, as expected, it’s much too heavy for any actual running - visibility is near zero.
15:37 left in Q1 - not one lap set.
Q1 underway
Saturday 7 November 2026 18:02 , Kieran JacksonGood drama from the off!
It’s pretty heavy now and all the cars out straight away, on inters, are being told to dive in and switch to extreme wets!
I wonder if we’ll get some proper action here in Q1....
Drops of rain
Saturday 7 November 2026 17:59 , Kieran JacksonRain is getting heavier at Sao Paulo.
How exciting!
Q1 coming up...
Qualifying in Brazil
Saturday 7 November 2026 17:52 , Kieran JacksonIt’s wet in Sao Paulo.
Not downpours, by any means, but it has rained and it’s overcast. So.. what will they present?!
A reminder: Max Verstappen and now Lewis Hamilton have back of the grid penalties, while Charles Leclerc has a 10-place grid drop. George Russell also has a 5-place drop.
Open game then!
NEW: Hamilton now back of the grid
Saturday 7 November 2026 17:50 , Kieran JacksonWe’re hearing now that Lewis Hamilton will start alongside Max Verstappen at the back of the grid...
That’ll be fun!
Are McLaren contenders?
Saturday 7 November 2026 17:48 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris hopes so. "I certainly feel like the last few weekends, the pace has not been too bad on Sundays,” he said.
"I feel like if things were just a little, little bit better, talking small amounts, we certainly could have had better results. And I'm hoping that the upgrades and some of the things we have this weekend can maybe just shift us a little bit more in this direction.
"I certainly don't expect to go out and win races all of a sudden. But the last few weekends, we've certainly not been miles away. We certainly have some weaknesses in the car and just the drivability, the difficulty of driving it is certainly one of the biggest factors at the minute.
"But the potential has been there. So I hope if it just puts us a little bit more forward in qualifying, we just have a little bit better chance in the race. And of course, I would like to be back on the podium as soon as possible."
What was the top-10 in final practice?
Saturday 7 November 2026 17:37 , Kieran Jackson1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:11.622
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) + 0.025
3. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.131
4. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.184
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.274
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.313
7. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.438
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.549
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.591
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.022
NEW: Max Verstappen also takes penalty
Saturday 7 November 2026 17:00 , Kieran JacksonAlso taking a new engine, Verstappen will start at the back of the grid!
This will be a mixed-up order later on today...
F1 Brazil GP - qualifying odds:
Saturday 7 November 2026 16:50 , Kieran JacksonWho’s the favourite for pole?
- Kimi Antonelli: 10/11
- Lando Norris: 10/3
- Max Verstappen: 7/2
- George Russell: 14/1
- Charles Leclerc: 16/1
- Lewis Hamilton: 16/1
- Oscar Piastri: 22/1
- Isack Hadjar: 33/1
Max Verstappen quickest in FP3
Saturday 7 November 2026 16:30 , Kieran JacksonHere was the top-10:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:11.622
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) + 0.025
3. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.131
4. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.184
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.274
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.313
7. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.438
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.549
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.591
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.022
LATEST: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc hit with Sao Paulo grid penalties in more Ferrari misery
Saturday 7 November 2026 16:15 , Kieran JacksonWarring Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will both receive 10-place grid penalties for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The Ferrari duo have both changed their engines for the first time this season and as such have been hit with the penalty by the FIA.
But Hamilton immediately hit trouble in final practice. First he complained of vibrations from his new engine before having to come in again with his car pouring smoke from the back.
He jumped out with 23 minutes remaining as his mechanics began taking his car apart. Hamilton ended the session 12th fastest.
Start times in Sao Paulo:
Saturday 7 November 2026 16:12 , Kieran JacksonTimes GMT
Saturday 7 November
- Qualifying: 6pm
Sunday 8 November
- Race: 5pm
F1 Brazil GP
Saturday 7 November 2026 16:10 , Kieran JacksonFormula 1 returns to Brazil and the famous Interlagos circuit for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, round 20 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli became F1’s youngest-ever world champion as his podium last time out in Mexico City gave the 20-year-old Italian an unassailable lead in the championship race with four rounds remaining.
Max Verstappen continued his excellent run of form with a third victory in four races and now the Red Bull driver has leapt up to second in the leaderboard, two points clear of third-placed Lewis Hamilton and 11 points ahead of fourth-placed George Russell.
Hamilton was furious with his Ferrari team after seeing a win fall away in Mexico City following an early tangle with teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton is a three-time winner at the Interlagos circuit, the venue where he memorably won his first title in 2008.
