Formula 1: Sao Paulo Grand Prix not being broadcast on ESPN

Interlagos Circuit is scheduled to host the third of three straight Formula 1 races not on ESPN, that being the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The antepenultimate race on the 22-race 2023 Formula 1 schedule is the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, formerly known as the Brazilian Grand Prix. It is scheduled to take place this Sunday, November 5 at Interlagos Circuit.

This 71-lap race around the 15-turn, 2.677-mile (4.308-kilometer) road course in Sao Paulo, Brazil is the eighth and final race of the season not being broadcast on ESPN, and it wraps up a three-race stretch of such races.

That stretch began with the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas back on Sunday, October 22. The two most recent races, that one and the Mexico City Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez last Sunday, October 29, were broadcast live on ABC.

Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix is the third and final race of the 2023 Formula 1 season set for ESPN2.

There had been five races set to be shown live on ESPN2 this year, but the first one was canceled back in May. Imola Circuit did not get to host the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as a result of flooding in the area, and the race was not rescheduled, reducing a record-breaking 23-race schedule to another record-tying 22-race campaign.

The Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit back on Sunday, October 8 was also switched from ESPN2 to ESPN. Had that change not occurred, this Sunday’s race would be the fifth straight race not on ESPN, as the race before the Qatar Grand Prix, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, was also shown on ESPN2.

Mercedes’ George Russell is the reigning winner of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, having led the only Mercedes 1-2 over teammate Lewis Hamilton since the end of the 2020 season — and their only win since the end of the 2021 season — last November.

In his first race with Mercedes at Interlagos Circuit, Russell secured his first career Formula 1 victory, and he did it on the weekend during which he secured his first career sprint race victory as well.

Three-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen, the 2019 Brazil winner, is set to start Sunday’s race from the pole position as he aims for his 17th victory of the 2023 season.

Interlagos Circuit is scheduled to host the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this Sunday, November 5. ESPN2 is scheduled to broadcast the race live beginning at 11:55 p.m. ET. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss it!