7 November, 2026

AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

STAR FORMULA 1 PREVIEW: 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli arrives in Brazil as Formula 1’s youngest-ever World Champion, but with the title decided, attention now turns to a fascinating battle for second place and the continuing fight between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

The Italian secured the championship with third place in Mexico City, where Max Verstappen claimed his third successive Grand Prix victory and Lewis Hamilton produced another impressive performance for Ferrari.

Interlagos now provides the next challenge, with its undulating layout, demanding corners and notoriously unpredictable weather promising another exciting weekend, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

2026 Formula 1 MSC Cruises São Paulo Grand Prix

Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, São Paulo

All coverage live on Sky Sports F1, Sky Go & NOW – UK times (GMT)3️⃣ Practice Three: 2.30pm Saturday
⏰ Qualifying: 6pm Saturday
🏆 Race: 5pm Sunday

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🇲🇽 The Story from Mexico City

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history after finishing third in a dramatic Mexico City Grand Prix, securing his maiden title with four races remaining.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver had arrived in Mexico needing only ninth place to guarantee the championship, but produced another composed performance to finish on the podium despite a race interrupted by a red flag and a late Safety Car.

Max Verstappen continued his remarkable resurgence by taking a third consecutive Grand Prix victory, holding off Lewis Hamilton by just 0.799 seconds in a thrilling finish.

Hamilton’s second place was another encouraging result for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc finishing fourth to give the Scuderia a substantial haul of championship points although Turn 4 drama between the pair has led to an acrimonious fallout between the pair that’s lasted all the eay to Interlagos.

Antonelli finished 4.006 seconds behind Verstappen, while Lando Norris completed the top five ahead of George Russell, who endured another frustrating afternoon for Mercedes.

The race featured considerable drama, including a red flag following Valtteri Bottas’s heavy accident and a late Safety Car after Arvid Lindblad crashed out. Despite the interruptions, Antonelli maintained his composure to claim the title.

The championship may now be settled, but Verstappen’s recent form has transformed the battle for second place. The Dutchman heads to Brazil just two points ahead of Hamilton, while Russell and Leclerc remain firmly in contention.

Standings 📊

Drivers’ Championship – Top Six:

1. 🇮🇹 Kimi Antonelli / Mercedes / 380 pts (9 wins, 16 podiums)
2. 🇳🇱 Max Verstappen / Red Bull / 261 pts (3 wins, 11 podiums)
3. 🇬🇧 Lewis Hamilton / Ferrari / 259 pts (1 win, 7 podiums)
4. 🇬🇧 George Russell / Mercedes / 250 pts (3 wins, 8 podiums)
5. 🇲🇨 Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 245 pts (1 win, 6 podiums)
6. 🇬🇧 Lando Norris / McLaren / 221 pts (2 wins, 5 podiums)

Season Form – Poles / Wins / Podiums / Top Six / Top Ten:

🇮🇹 Kimi Antonelli – Poles: 7 / Wins: 9 / Podiums: 16 / Top Six: 17 / Top Ten: 17
🇳🇱 Max Verstappen – Poles: 3 / Wins: 3 / Podiums: 11 / Top Six: 14 / Top Ten: 15
🇬🇧 Lewis Hamilton – Poles: 1 / Wins: 1 / Podiums: 7 / Top Six: 18 / Top Ten: 18
🇬🇧 George Russell – Poles: 5 / Wins: 3 / Podiums: 8 / Top Six: 12 / Top Ten: 15
🇲🇨 Charles Leclerc – Poles: 0 / Wins: 1 / Podiums: 6 / Top Six: 14 / Top Ten: 16
🇬🇧 Lando Norris – Poles: 3 / Wins: 2 / Podiums: 5 / Top Six: 12 / Top Ten: 15

🏆 Kimi Antonelli – 2026 World Champion

Kimi Antonelli arrives at Interlagos as the newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion, having secured his maiden title with third place in Mexico City. At just 20 years old, the Mercedes driver has become the youngest champion in the sport’s history and the first Italian to claim the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. With nine Grand Prix victories and 16 podium finishes, Antonelli has enjoyed an extraordinary campaign, although his rivals will be determined to prevent him adding another victory to his remarkable tally.

The Battle For Second Place 🥈

Just 16 points separate Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Charles Leclerc in the battle for second place in the championship. Verstappen leads Hamilton by only two points after winning three consecutive Grands Prix, with Russell a further nine points behind and Leclerc just five points behind Russell. With four races remaining, the runner-up position remains wide open.

🏎️ Constructors (Wins, Podiums):

1. ⚪ Mercedes – 630 pts (12 wins, 24 podiums)
2. 🔴 Ferrari – 504 pts (2 wins, 13 podiums)
3. 🔵 Red Bull Racing – 382 pts (3 wins, 13 podiums)
4. 🟠 McLaren – 365 pts (2 wins, 7 podiums)
5. ⚫ Racing Bulls – 108 pts (0 wins, 0 podiums)
6. 🔷 Alpine – 69 pts (0 wins, 0 podiums)
7. ⚪ Haas – 31 pts (0 wins, 0 podiums)
8. 🟢 Audi – 27 pts (0 wins, 0 podiums)
9. 🔵 Williams – 12 pts (0 wins, 0 podiums)
10. 🟢 Aston Martin – 7 pts (0 wins, 0 podiums)

Standings correct after the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Track Guide 🚦

Circuit: Autódromo José Carlos Pace
Location: Interlagos, São Paulo
Length: 4.309km
Laps: 71
Race distance: 305.879km
Corners: 15
First Grand Prix: 1973
Lap record: 1:10.540 – Valtteri Bottas (2018)

Interlagos is one of Formula 1’s most celebrated circuits, with its combination of elevation changes, flowing corners and relatively short lap creating an intense challenge for drivers and teams.

The anti-clockwise circuit begins with the famous Senna S, a downhill sequence of corners that provides one of the best overtaking opportunities on the lap. Drivers approach Turn 1 at high speed before braking heavily into the left-right combination, where a mistake can compromise their exit onto the following straight.

The middle sector is much more technical, featuring a series of slower corners that reward mechanical grip, traction and precise car placement. The long, uphill final section then places a premium on power delivery and efficient energy deployment.

What can the 2026 cars and drivers expect?

Interlagos should provide a fascinating examination of the new-generation cars, particularly when it comes to energy management and aerodynamic efficiency.

Tactics 🧠

Interlagos has traditionally rewarded drivers who can manage their tyres effectively through the demanding middle sector while maintaining strong traction onto the circuit’s two principal straights.

The relatively short lap means traffic can become a significant factor, particularly during pit-stop sequences, while the elevation changes and long corners can contribute to tyre wear.

A one-stop strategy may be possible if degradation remains manageable, although teams could consider two stops depending on tyre performance and weather conditions.

Overtaking opportunities into Turns 1 and 4 mean drivers are not entirely dependent on track position, although a strong qualifying performance remains important given the competitive nature of the field.

Safety Cars and Virtual Safety Cars can also have a major influence on strategy, particularly at a circuit where sudden changes in weather have repeatedly transformed races. Just ask Max Verstappen, after all.

Friday Practice Review 🏎️

Newly crowned World Champion Kimi Antonelli wasted little time reminding the paddock of his pace as he topped Friday’s second practice session at Interlagos, setting the fastest lap of the day with a 1:10.763. The Mercedes driver had earlier finished second in FP1, just 0.082 seconds behind Lando Norris, who led the opening session with a 1:11.717. Max Verstappen finished third in both sessions, suggesting Red Bull remain firmly in contention, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell completed the top five in FP1.

Antonelli’s advantage was more substantial in FP2, finishing 0.253 seconds clear of Norris, with Verstappen third, Russell fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were sixth and seventh for Ferrari, with both drivers appearing to lack some of the outright pace shown by Mercedes and McLaren. Russell also faces a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race following a power-unit change, potentially complicating his challenge.

Long-run data was harder to interpret because the two sessions took place in different conditions, with warmer temperatures in FP1 producing greater thermal degradation before cooler weather improved tyre performance in FP2. McLaren’s updated package appeared encouraging, while Red Bull reported competitive longer runs despite Verstappen struggling with aspects of his car’s balance. Pirelli noted that the soft tyre performed consistently over longer stints, although rear-right tyre wear could become important. With rain forecast for the remainder of the weekend, Friday’s dry-weather form may not tell the full story.

FP1 – Top Six:

1️⃣ Lando Norris – 1:11.717
2️⃣ Kimi Antonelli – 1:11.799
3️⃣ Max Verstappen – 1:11.953
4️⃣ Lewis Hamilton – 1:12.041
5️⃣ George Russell – 1:12.103
6️⃣ Isack Hadjar – 1:12.156

FP2 – Top Six:

1️⃣ Kimi Antonelli – 1:10.763
2️⃣ Lando Norris – 1:11.016
3️⃣ Max Verstappen – 1:11.022
4️⃣ George Russell – 1:11.036
5️⃣ Oscar Piastri – 1:11.084
6️⃣ Lewis Hamilton – 1:11.213

Weather 🌦️

Saturday, November 7 – FP3 and Qualifying:

Saturday could provide the first major disruption of the weekend, with thunderstorms forecast for São Paulo during the afternoon. Temperatures could reach 30°C, but the chance of rain increases significantly around the time of Qualifying. The latest forecast indicates a 68% chance of precipitation during the day, with an official storm warning in place. Heavy rain, strong winds and standing water could all complicate proceedings, making the timing of qualifying runs particularly important.

Maximum temperature: 30°C
Minimum temperature: 15°C
Chance of rain: 68% during the day

Sunday, November 8 – Race:

A much cooler and potentially unsettled day is expected for the Grand Prix, with temperatures struggling to reach 17°C. Showers are forecast during the day, with an 84% overall chance of precipitation, although the latest hourly outlook suggests there could be a drier window around the scheduled race start. The risk of rain remains significant, however, and any showers could dramatically influence tyre selection, strategy and the competitive order at Interlagos.

Maximum temperature: 17°C
Minimum temperature: 12°C
Chance of rain: 84% during the day

FIRST VERDICT 🏁

The Friday picture at Interlagos was fascinating, with not much between the big four teams and McLaren’s upgrades – not all of which have been used by Lando Norris yet – appearing to unlock a decent amount of laptime, especially for the race simulations. There’s also the potential of rain for both FP3 and also the race, with high possibility of wet sessions through the rest of the weekend.

In Singapore’s sprint and the beginning of Sepang’s race – the only comparable sessions we’ve had this season given how dry the races have remained – Max Verstappen, having started from pole, has been in control, winning both races and leading when the crossover period came in Malaysia. It’s notable that in Singapore’s sprint both Ferraris – with Lewis Hamilton far more comfortable than Charles Leclerc – performed well, something which they didn’t have the chance to do having started on the wrong tyre in Sepang.

The constant across the two practice sessions yesterday was that Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris were both quick – whilst George Russell also made the top six in both sessions – whilst Ferrari were searching for a sweet spot with Charles Leclerc having missed FP1 for Dino Beganovic whilst Lewis Hamilton complained of tyre warm-up issues. The Mercedes package seems to be very well suited to the demands of this track – which was also the case last year when both drivers were quick all weekend – and with Kimi Antonelli well dialled in already (and George Russell, who has looked in reasonable shape so far, likely to have a penalty), he looks the right favourite for the upcoming sessions with starsports.bet, for all that one has to assume that Max Verstappen and Red Bull won’t be far away in the conditions here. Last year they found a huge amount of time after a dire qualifying left him 17th to finish third, having started from the pitlane in the race to make big setup changes, and Red Bull have often found performance from practice to qualifying and the race.

FP3 may see some rain, although forecasts differ and the thunderstorms seem more set for qualifying. If that’s the case, then Kimi Antonelli could be a bet to go quickest in the final practice session whilst Max Verstappen would be in his element for qualifying if downpours ensue. Lewis Hamilton could be value at 10/1 for pole in the wet, although Ferrari had their worst Friday of the season yesterday and may be best watched during FP3.

Update: Max Verstappen will take a complete engine penalty and start from the back of the grid, giving us huge déjà vu. His wet-weather proficiency, the fact he’s done this before, and the performance of the Red Bull means he’s just 4/1 with starsports.bet to win from the back of the grid, a price which doesn’t make much appeal despite his brilliance.

Kimi Antonelli is now 6/5, which many would think is value given his brilliant season, for all that a wet Sunday adds jeopardy to proceedings – George Russell was leading the sprint after the first lap and crashed out after touching the white line. Lando Norris is now 14/5 second favourite – his wet weather skills need no introduction although the MCL-40’s trickiness could provide a challenge that he and Oscar Piastri don’t need. FP3, starting shortly, should tell a whole lot – the best betting opportunity might be the podium and top 6 slots when markets are updated.

🚨 Grid penalties for front-runners in Interlagos

⚪️ George Russell: 5-place penalty
🔴 Charles Leclerc: 10-place penalty
🔴 Lewis Hamilton: 10-place penalty
🔵 Max Verstappen: Back of the grid

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PROFIT/LOSS (2026): -12.00 points

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