The 2026 Formula 1 season heads from Mexico City straight to Interlagos in Brazil for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, from 6-8 November.
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured his third consecutive pole position in Brazil in a rain-affected qualifying session that was delayed by nearly an hour and a half.
Advertisement
Mercedes’ George Russell was second, but will drop to seventh with a five-place grid penalty for a taking new internal combustion engine.
World champion Kimi Antonelli will now start alongside Norris on the front row, with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg promoted to the second row in third and fourth respectively.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton will start at the back because of their own penalties for fitting new engines.
Lights out for the 71-lap grand prix on Sunday, which could see more rain, is at 17:00 GMT.
How can Mercedes’ win constructors championship this weekend?
Mercedes won the constructors’ championship eight years in a row between 2014-2021 [Getty Images]
For Mercedes to win the constructors’ championship in Interlagos, they will need to outscore Ferrari by at least three points.
Advertisement
The Silver Arrows lead Ferrari by 126 points and there will be a maximum of 129 available after Sao Paulo.
This would be Mercedes’ ninth constructors’ championship victory after winning the title eight years in a row between 2014 and 2021.
Session start times and BBC coverage
Commentary of the race will be available across BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
You can also ask your smart speaker to “play 5 Sports Extra”.
Make sure to listen to every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every grand prix is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.
Advertisement
All times GMT.
Sunday, 8 November
Race: 17:00 – 5 Sports Extra
What is the Sao Paulo weather forecast?
Polesitter Lando Norris won in Brazil last year on his way to becoming 2025 world champion [Getty Images]
Following Saturday’s qualifying downpour, Sunday’s grand prix could feature more wet weather.
The race, which starts at 2pm local time, is forecast for light showers and a moderate breeze, with a high temperature of 17C.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
