This weekend sees Scuderia Ferrari HP tackle the São Paulo Grand Prix, held at the Interlagos circuit. It is the twentieth race of the season and the final round of the American triple-header, which has seen teams and drivers compete in the United States, Mexico and now Brazil.

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, more commonly known as Interlagos, is very popular with drivers, thanks to the variety of its corner types and constant changes in elevation. Run anti-clockwise and 4.309 kilometres in length, it features a combination of fast sections, heavy braking zones and slow corners, requiring a good aerodynamic compromise when it comes to car set-up. The first sector includes the famous Senna Esses, followed by Curva do Sol and the downhill run towards Descida do Lago, one of the best opportunities to attempt an overtaking move. The middle sector is more technical, demanding precision through changes of direction, good traction and stability in low-speed corners. The standout corner in the final part of the lap is Junção, requiring good exit speed to tackle the long climb to the finish line. Getting through it well can make all the difference, both to lap time and to overtaking opportunities into the first braking zone. Another distinctive feature of Interlagos is its relatively short lap, which tends to keep the gaps particularly small, especially in qualifying.

One factor that must always be taken into account in São Paulo is the weather. Rainfall can be frequent and often sudden in November and in the past, Interlagos has hosted races in which rain has repeatedly changed track conditions, forcing teams to make quick decisions on strategy. Temperatures can also vary considerably over the course of the weekend, affecting tyre behaviour and car management.

Fred Vasseur: We are happy to be back on track less than a week after the Mexico race, where we confirmed that we are moving in the right direction in terms of performance. Interlagos is a demanding circuit, with a short lap, changes of elevation and a wide variety of corners, while the weather can make the weekend even more unpredictable. We will need to build our competitiveness session by session and remain focused on maximising the opportunities.

Ferrari in Brazil

52 GP Entered
1973 Debut Brazilian Grand Prix (A. Merzario 4th; J. Ickx 5th)
11 (21.15%) Wins
7 (13.46%) Pole Positions
8 (15.39%) Fastest Laps
32 (20.51%) Podiums

São Paulo Grand Prix - Facts and Figures

472. The number of years since the city of São Paulo was founded on 25 January 1554. Over the centuries, it has become Brazil's leading economic centre, as well as one of the most populous cities in the Americas. According to official 2026 estimates, it has a population of almost 12 million.

1951. The year of the first edition of the 24 Hours of Interlagos, one of the events that helped establish the circuit's motor racing credentials before Formula 1. The race was won by Godofredo Viana and Pascoalino Buernocors.

6,000. The approximate number of pizzerias in São Paulo. Pizza is a staple of the Brazilian diet, particularly among the city's residents, known as Paulistanos, to the extent that the metropolis is estimated to be the world's second-largest city for pizza consumption, behind New York. It has long been home to a pizzeria that has received several awards for serving the best Neapolitan pizza outside Italy.

7,960. The length, in metres, of the original Interlagos circuit, which was inaugurated on 12 May 1940. The track was almost twice as long as the current layout and included extremely long, sweeping corners taken at high speed. The most significant transformation came in 1990, when the circuit underwent major changes ahead of Formula 1's return to São Paulo.

15,000. The number of spectators who attended the inaugural event at the Interlagos circuit on 12 May 1940. The programme included a 96-kilometre motorcycle race and a 200-kilometre car race, won by Brazilian driver Arthur Nascimento Junior. At the time, the circuit did not yet have any pit garages.