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Traditional Weekend Format Returns to Interlagos
Formula 1 heads to São Paulo from November 6 to 8 for the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, marking the twentieth round of the 2026 World Championship at the historic Interlagos venue. Unlike several recent editions of the Brazilian event, the 2026 weekend will drop the sprint format, returning instead to the traditional schedule of three practice sessions preceding Saturday qualifying and Sunday's 71-lap main event. This account draws on extra.ec reporting.
Antonelli Arrives as Formula 1 Champion
The weekend represents the first outing for Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Formula 1 champion, following his title-clinching performance at the Mexican Grand Prix. Driving for Mercedes, the 20-year-old Italian became the youngest champion in the history of Formula 1 and ended a 73-year drought for Italian drivers in the Drivers' Championship. Although the individual crown has already been settled, the Interlagos meeting remains positioned to exert significant influence over the unresolved battle for the Constructors' Championship.
Weekend Schedule and Ecuador Session Timings
Track running follows an established timetable, with session times scheduled for viewers in Ecuador. Action opens on Friday, November 6, with Free Practice 1 running from 10:30 to 11:30, followed by Free Practice 2 between 14:00 and 15:00. Preparations resume on Saturday, November 7, with Free Practice 3 held from 09:30 to 10:30 before qualifying sets the starting grid from 13:00 to 14:00. The Grand Prix itself begins at 12:00 Ecuador time on Sunday, November 8.
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Track Profile and Tribute to José Carlos Pace
Known as the Autódromo José Carlos Pace and popularly recognized as Interlagos, the São Paulo circuit was inaugurated in 1940 and took its name from the Portuguese term meaning 'between lakes' due to its position between the Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs. In 1985, the circuit received the name of José Carlos Pace in tribute to the Brazilian driver who died in an airplane crash in 1977 after securing his lone Formula 1 victory at Interlagos during the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix. The current layout measures 4.309 kilometers, runs anti-clockwise, and features elevation changes and challenging corners alongside the 'Senna S' sequence honoring three-time champion Ayrton Senna, with the main straight and the uphill run toward the finish line serving as prime overtaking areas.
Formula 1 History at the Brazilian Circuit
Interlagos first hosted Formula 1 in 1972 for a race that did not form part of the World Championship. A year later, in 1973, Brazil joined the championship calendar, with Emerson Fittipaldi taking victory in front of his home crowd in the first scoring Grand Prix held at the track. In subsequent years, the Brazilian Grand Prix alternated between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro before Interlagos regained the organization of the race in 1990 following a major reconfiguration that shortened the track. Since then, the venue has remained a regular host on the Formula 1 schedule, except in 2020 when the event was canceled due to the pandemic. Rainfall and changing weather conditions regularly affect the circuit, requiring teams to adapt their strategies, as the track continues Brazil's motorsport heritage alongside champions Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Senna.
Decisive Races and Historic Comebacks
The circuit has witnessed several of Formula 1's most memorable moments, including Ayrton Senna's emotional 1991 home victory. Driving for McLaren, Senna battled severe gearbox issues over the closing laps, managing the car with essentially only one gear before crossing the finish line to take victory, a triumph he repeated in front of his home fans in 1993. Interlagos also hosted dramatic championship conclusions, notably in 2008 when Lewis Hamilton passed Timo Glock in the final corners to finish fifth, securing his first title by one point over race winner Felipe Massa. In 2012, Sebastian Vettel recovered from an opening-lap incident that dropped him to the back of the order, fighting through changing rain to finish sixth and capture his third consecutive championship over Fernando Alonso by three points. Rain again shaped the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen charged from seventeenth on the grid to take victory on his way toward a fourth title.
Related reading: São Paulo Grand Prix Faces Uncertain Weather Forecast Across Interlagos Weekend.
