São Paulo Grand Prix

The Formula 1 MSC Cruises Grande Prêmio de São Paulo returns to the Autódromo José Carlos Pace at Interlagos for the 2026 season. This Brazilian race features major technical changes to the cars and brings together all teams on one of the sport's most challenging counter-clockwise circuits. São Paulo hosts a Grand Prix secured at Interlagos through the 2030 season, ensuring this venue remains a fixture on the F1 calendar.

The Interlagos Circuit

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace stretches 4.309 kilometers through São Paulo. The track opened in 1940 and takes its popular name "Interlagos" from its location between artificial lakes. Officials renamed the circuit in 1985 to honor José Carlos Pace, a Brazilian F1 driver who died in 1977.

Drivers navigate 15 turns across this counter-clockwise layout, a rare configuration in Formula 1. The circuit combines fast straights with technical corners. Key sections include the Senna S at turns 1 and 2, followed by Ferradura, Laranjinha, Pinheirinho, Bico de Pato, Mergulho, and Junção. The final sequence runs uphill through Subida dos Boxes and Arquibancadas back to the start-finish line.

Racers complete 71 laps for a total distance of 305.879 kilometers. Valtteri Bottas set the current lap record of 1:10.540 in 2018. The facility accommodates 60,000 spectators and includes a kart circuit named after Ayrton Senna. Visitors can reach the venue via the Autódromo Station on Line 9 – Esmeralda.

Teams and Drivers for 2026

The 2026 F1 season features ten teams with diverse engine partnerships. Red Bull Racing fields Max Verstappen alongside Isack Hadjar, powered by Ford engines. Mercedes-AMG runs George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli with Mercedes power units.

Scuderia Ferrari pairs Charles Leclerc with Lewis Hamilton using Ferrari engines. McLaren continues with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, switching to Mercedes power. Aston Martin Aramco fields Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll with Honda engines.

BWT Alpine F1 Team runs Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto on Mercedes power. Williams Racing pairs Alex Albon with Carlos Sainz Jr., also using Mercedes engines. Racing Bulls fields Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad with Ford power units.

Haas F1 Team brings Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman with Ferrari engines. Two new entries join the grid: Audi F1 Team runs Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto with Audi power units as a works team. Cadillac F1 Team fields Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas using Ferrari power units, with their own engines planned for 2029.

New Technical Regulations

Formula 1 introduces major rule changes for 2026. The minimum car weight drops 30 kilograms to 768-770 kilograms. The maximum wheelbase shrinks 200 millimeters to 3400 millimeters, while overall width reduces 100 millimeters to 1900 millimeters. Floor width decreases 150 millimeters.

Active Aerodynamics

Cars feature full-time active aerodynamics with movable front and rear wings. This system replaces the previous Drag Reduction System. Cars switch between a low-drag Straight Mode for higher top speeds and a Corner Mode for increased downforce. Overall downforce decreases approximately 15 percent while drag reduces up to 55 percent. Ground-effect floor tunnels no longer appear on the cars.

Tires and Wheels

The 18-inch wheel diameter remains, but front tires become 25 millimeters narrower and rear tires 30 millimeters narrower compared to previous specifications.

Power Unit Changes

Redesigned power units maintain over 1,000 brake horsepower. The turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 internal combustion engine continues, but engineers removed the MGU-H component. The MGU-K output increases significantly to 350 kilowatts, equivalent to 470 brake horsepower. Power now splits evenly at 50:50 between internal combustion and electric sources.

Cars run on advanced sustainable fuels. A new Overtake Mode provides attacking cars with extra electrical power for one lap when within one second of the car ahead. Drivers also access a Recharge mode to harvest energy. Teams benefit from relaxed engine penalty rules, allowing drivers an extra penalty-free example of each power unit component.

Brazilian Racing Heritage

Interlagos hosted its first Brazilian Grand Prix in 1972, though this initial race held non-championship status. Carlos Reutemann won that event. The first championship race occurred in 1973, with Emerson Fittipaldi securing victory at his home circuit.

Safety concerns prompted a temporary move to Jacarepaguá in Rio de Janeiro during the late 1970s. The race returned to a shortened and modified Interlagos in 1990. Ayrton Senna influenced this return to São Paulo. Since 2021, officials have named the event the São Paulo Grand Prix rather than the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The circuit maintains a passionate atmosphere that often produces memorable racing moments. The facility includes the resting place of José Carlos Pace, added to the circuit grounds in 2024. Spectators may bring up to three sealed food items per person into the circuit, though drinks are prohibited.

The Sao Paulo GP at Interlagos represents a key moment in the F1 season. The combination of new technical regulations, a challenging circuit layout, and Brazil's racing culture creates conditions for competitive racing. This edition of the São Paulo Grand Prix offers fans an opportunity to witness how teams and drivers adapt to the sport's latest technical formula on a classic circuit.