Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Tensions rise ahead of final four races
3rd November 2025Interlagos awaits as Formula 1 sprints into the final four rounds of the 2025 season, with Lando Norris looking to extend his one-point championship lead.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
The British driver returned to the top of the drivers’ standings for the first time since April after a dominant victory in Mexico, as his teammate Oscar Piastri’s slump in form continued, with his winless run extending to five races.
Extra points are on offer this weekend, as Brazil hosts the penultimate Sprint race of the year. A maximum of eight additional points are available in what could make or break this year’s tight championship battle.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen maintained his pressure in the title battle with a P3 in Mexico, reducing the gap in the championship to just 36 points – having previously been more than 100 points adrift of the top spot.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will also be hoping for another strong weekend, as he made it two podiums in a row in Mexico despite an inconsistent season for the Italian team.
The Monegasque also announced his engagement to long-time partner Alexandra Saint Mleux this week, and another strong performance in Brazil would provide the perfect celebration.
This weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix will also see rookie Gabriel Bortoleto make his hometown debut. He becomes the first Brazilian driver to race in the country since Felipe Massa in 2017 and will have huge support from the home crowd following his points finish in Mexico.
Interlagos has hosted numerous classic races in its history, from an unbelievable double podium for Alpine last year to Lewis Hamilton’s infamous last-lap title win in 2008.
The circuit’s old-school layout of long straights and technical corners has provided consistent entertainment, and this year’s tight field looks set to provide another excellent weekend of wheel-to-wheel racing.
Current constructors’ championship holders McLaren have won a record 12 times at the circuit, despite their last victory in Brazil coming in 2012 with Jenson Button. They will be hoping to make it a 13th this weekend, as they aim to close in on their second title of the season.
Sao Paulo is also known for its unpredictable weather, with thunderstorms and heavy rain having curtailed race plans and thrown surprise results on many occasions. Rain is expected at points across the weekend, adding another dynamic in this season’s sharp title battle.
The Brazilian Grand Prix begins this Friday, with first practice at 14:30*, before sprint qualifying at 18:30*. Saturday’s first action starts with the sprint at 14:00*, before qualifying at 18:00*. Finally, Sunday’s race sees lights out at 17:00*, in what is set to be one of the most crucial races of the Formula One season.
* All times displayed are based in Greenwich Mean Time
Read more Formula 1 here:
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