The 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its penultimate sprint weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix — round 21 and Gabriel Bortoleto’s home race. With four races remaining, including two sprint events, the championship is tight and every point matters: a maximum of 116 points is still available to a driver.
The title fight
Three drivers remain in realistic contention: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. After Mexico, the standings for the top three are:
– Lando Norris — 357 pts (16 podiums, 6 wins)
– Oscar Piastri — 356 pts (14 podiums, 7 wins)
– Max Verstappen — 321 pts (11 podiums, 5 wins)
Norris leads by a single point over Piastri, while Verstappen has closed to 36 points behind the leader. With sprint points on offer and variable weather expected at Interlagos, the championship could swing quickly.
Weekend weather
The forecast looks mixed. Friday should be cloudy and settled with highs near 24°C (75°F). A more disruptive picture arrives Saturday: a yellow alert for thunderstorms with rain, wind and thunder possible during the sprint activities. Cooler conditions are expected for Sunday, about 19°C (67°F), with a chance of light rain — meaning tyre strategy and timing could be decisive.
Must-read storylines
– Next generation at Ferrari: Oliver Bearman impressed with fourth place in Mexico, hinting at the team’s depth beyond its senior drivers.
– New leader: Norris reclaimed the championship lead in Mexico — the question now is whether he can stay there under pressure.
– Team heritage: Williams has refreshed its branding with a return to a historic logo as it eyes a competitive future.
– Incident updates: The FIA cleared Liam Lawson of blame for a marshal incident in Mexico.
– Farewell to Button: Jenson Button announced his final race in the 8 Hours of Bahrain, stepping back from active pro racing again.
– For deeper discussion, ESPN’s F1 podcast Unlapped offers analysis and reaction from the paddock.
Circuit: Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos)
Interlagos, located between two artificial lakes (hence its name), has a long motorsport history. Opened in 1940, F1 first raced there in 1972 (non-championship) and then on the calendar from 1973. The current, shortened layout returned in 1990 and has produced many title-deciding moments since the race moved later in the season in 2004.
Key facts:
– Location: São Paulo, Brazil
– Laps: 71
– Circuit length: ~4.3 km
– Lap record: 1:10.540 (Valtteri Bottas, 2018)
– Most career wins at Interlagos/Jacarepagua: Alain Prost (6); Michael Schumacher (4)
Winners and poles among the current grid:
– Recent winners at the venue: Lewis Hamilton (2016, 2018, 2021), Max Verstappen (2019, 2023, 2024), George Russell (2022)
– Most poles overall: Ayrton Senna (6)
– Recent pole sitters on the grid include Fernando Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Verstappen and Norris.
What makes Interlagos special
Interlagos is short, undulating and frequently unpredictable — especially when weather moves in. Races here are often lively and strategic; changing conditions reward drivers who can find grip and teams that make the right tyre calls. Senna’s S (Turn 1) is one of the best spectator overtaking spots and often a flashpoint for bold moves.
Fun facts
– Brazil has produced 33 F1 drivers, including multiple world champions. Felipe Massa narrowly missed the 2008 title by one point.
– Gabriel Bortoleto is the first local driver to race his home GP since Massa in 2017.
– The São Paulo Grand Prix name reappeared after the 2020 cancellation; this is the fifth event under that name.
– Interlagos has featured on every sprint calendar since sprints began in 2021, though it will not host a sprint in 2026.
Last year
The previous São Paulo race was dramatic: Verstappen recovered from 17th on the grid to win in a rain-hit contest. Only 15 drivers finished, Alpine scored a double podium, and strategic tyre calls under changing conditions decided the outcome. Rain amplified the usual unpredictability of Interlagos.
Who’s favored this weekend?
McLaren look strong — Norris and Piastri are battling at the front and will be heavily involved. But Red Bull and Verstappen are dangerous, particularly in wet conditions where he has repeatedly excelled. Red Bull’s car has improved in slower corners since the summer, which suits the Interlagos profile. If rain returns, expect Verstappen to be a major factor in both the sprint and the grand prix.
How to watch
– United States: Live on ESPN and ESPN+.
– United Kingdom: Live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live; highlights on Channel 4.
– Follow paddock updates from dedicated F1 coverage teams and official social channels for live reaction and analysis.
Session times (all in GMT; local Brasília time is GMT-3)
Friday
– Practice: 14:30–15:30 GMT
– Sprint qualifying: 18:30–19:14 GMT
Saturday
– Sprint race: 14:00–15:00 GMT
– Qualifying: 18:00–19:00 GMT
Sunday
– Grand Prix start: 17:00 GMT (live text coverage and build-up typically begins an hour earlier)
Closing note
With championship margins razor-thin and changeable weather forecast, São Paulo promises high drama. Expect aggressive tactics, opportunistic tyre calls and possibly a reshuffling of the title picture before the season heads to its final rounds.
