The Brazilian Grand Prix, officially now known as the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, at Interlagos Circuit (Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace) is the 20th of 23 races on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, and it is the third and final race of the second of three consecutive tripleheaders to conclude the season, following the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and the Mexico City Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Qualifying has been historically important at the 15-turn, 2.677-mile (4.308-kilometer) road course in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Of the 17 most recent races at Interlagos, 15 have been won from the front row, including nine from pole.
But at least in very recent history, that stat doesn't even come close to telling the full story.
The other two were won from 10th and 17th, with Lewis Hamilton winning in 2021 and Max Verstappen winning in 2024. Hamilton started from the back in the sprint race in 2021, back when sprint results determined the Grand Prix starting lineup, and even received a grid drop before going on to win the Grand Prix, meaning he effectively went from last all the to first and then some.
And Verstappen's 2024 win was a masterclass drive from the back in the rain. Bottom line, overtaking is definitely possible at Interlagos, and this track has a history of producing some classics.
Verstappen's win in Mexico this past weekend marked only the second time all year a driver won without starting on the front row. In fact, in his other 73 wins, he had never won from P5 on the grid. He's set to start at the back again this weekend with an engine penalty. How much will qualifying matter?
Follow along with our live qualifying updates from Interlagos.
Sao Paulo Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Eliminated in Q1
Update: red flag due to rain
Sao Paulo Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Eliminated in Q2
Sao Paulo Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Q3 results
Full Sao Paulo Grand Prix starting lineup
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is set to be shown live on Apple TV from Interlagos beginning at 11:55 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 8.
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