The Formula 1 World Championship has now made camp in Brazil for the São Paulo Grand Prix, which takes place at the famous track named to honour the memory of José Carlos Pace, a talented Brazilian driver from the 1970s who won a Formula 1 Grand Prix and also competed successfully in endurance racing with Ferrari, and better known simply as Interlagos. This weekend’s 21st round of the season – there are just four more to go – is again run to the Sprint format, which means there are 58 points up for grabs and just the one free practice session to prepare the cars prior to Sprint Qualifying.

The circuit. The Interlagos circuit encapsulates the very essence of Formula1: fast, technical and unpredictable, which is why it has been the scene of so many memorable battles and races that have gone down in history. The track features climbs and drops with changes of gradient and the middle sector has plenty of slow corners where aerodynamic downforce can make the difference. The first part of the lap from Esse di Senna to Descida do Lago (turn 4) offers overtaking opportunities, aided by the ability to use DRS. The middle sector from turns 6 to 11 is twisty and tests a car’s traction and balance. The final sector from the Junção corner to the Subida do Boxes and then the start-finish line is a key part from where drivers try for maximum speed all the way to the first corner, which is another ideal overtaking opportunity.

Weather. It can rain a lot in São Paulo in November and the forecast for this coming weekend is not that encouraging. However, the weather can change very rapidly at Interlagos, partly because it is situated at the moderate altitude of 700 metres above sea level. It’s not unusual to have a wet session followed by one when the sun beats down and the track temperature reaches 40 degrees.

Tyres. Run over 71 laps, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix can often call for a two-stop strategy in dry conditions. This is partly down to the track layout which makes overtaking relatively straightforward. However, in case of rain, teams need to be alert, ready to react to the changing track conditions.

Programme. The only free practice session starts at 11.30 local (15.30 CET) in preparation for Sprint Qualifying at 15.30 (19.30 CET). Saturday’s action begins with the fifth Sprint race of the season at 11.00 (15.00 CET) followed by qualifying for the main event at 15.00 (19.00 CET). The Sao Paulo Grand Prix gets underway at 14.00 (18.00 CET).

Fred Vasseur, Team Principal

At Interlagos we will tackle the fifth Sprint weekend of the season, which means another interesting test for the whole team, both physically and mentally. In this compact format, every detail matters, from the preparation work in Maranello to the real-time support from the remote garage. We come to Brazil with a positive attitude, off the back of two solid weekends in Austin and Mexico, where we maximised the potential of the car and the goal now is to keep this momentum going, focus on execution, and be ready to react to whatever weather conditions we encounter in São Paulo.

FERRARI STATS

GP Contested 1118
Seasons in F1 76
Debut Monaco 1950 (A. Ascari 2nd; R. Sommer 4th; L. Villoresi ret.)
Wins 248 (22.18%)
Pole Positions 254 (22.72%)
Fastest Laps 264 (23.61%)
Podiums 836 (24.92%)

FERRARI STATS – GPS HELD IN BRAZIL

GP Contested 51
Debut 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix (A. Merzario 4th; J. Ickx 5th)
Wins 11 (21.57%)
Pole Positions 7 (13.72%)
Fastest Laps 8 (15.69%)
Podiums 32 (20.91%)

Three questions to...

Rafael Câmara

SCUDERIA FERRARI DRIVER ACADEMY, FIA F3 2025 CHAMPION

1. How would you describe the Interlagos circuit?

Interlagos is a fantastic track, running anti-clockwise with very technical corners with gradient changes and it’s also narrower than the average. All that means it’s a track where it takes a while to get a good feel for it, but once you’ve built up the confidence to push, it’s really exciting to drive. Also, at this time of year, the weather can be a key factor. If it rains, conditions change completely and the track becomes a very different and much more complex challenge.

2. This year you raced in Formula 3, the series running at the same tracks on the same weekends as Formula 1. What are the challenges and advantages of this format?

It was fantastic to be on track on the same weekend as Formula 1, as it meant we were racing in front of huge crowds with an incredible atmosphere at every round. You can really sense how everything changes for the event and it feels really special. From a racing perspective, for us drivers it’s very interesting to be able to watch the Formula 1 and Formula 2 drivers up close, but at the same time it’s also a challenge because the track time available to us is extremely limited. On some weekends, such as in Bahrain, we effectively had just one flying lap before qualifying, so it’s essential to arrive well-prepared and already know exactly what to do. You have to adapt quickly, immediately understand how the car is responding and what to do to improve. It was a great test and I think I adapted well to this format.

3. You’ve had an outstanding rookie season, winning the Formula 3 championship and next year you will move up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing. What were the key factors behind your success this year, and how are you preparing for your next step?

It’s been a very positive season. I think the secret was a combination of factors: preparation with the team, having clear goals, and the ability to stay focused on the things I could control. Everyone in the team knew exactly what was needed to be competitive, and we worked solidly towards our goals. In qualifying, I was always able to maximise the car’s potential, adapting well to different conditions and working effectively with my engineer to improve with every session. Now I’m preparing for a new challenge in Formula 2 with Invicta Racing: everything will be new - the car, the environment, the category- and I can’t wait to get started. The first test is in Abu Dhabi in December after the end of the season, and it will be an important moment, a new chapter. I’m doing a lot of work in the simulator to make sure I will be ready and competitive from day one.

Profile: Rafael Câmara

Nationality: Brazilian

Born in Recife (Brasile) on 05/05/2005

São Paulo Grand Prix: facts & figures

4. The number of days taken off a prison sentence for inmates, excluding murderers and those convicted of serious crimes, who take part in a reading scheme in several São Paulo prisons. The project, called “Remição pela Leitura” (“redemption through reading”), rewards participants with a reduction of up to 48 days a year for every book they read and review. Promoting culture as a tool for personal growth and social reintegration, the initiative has proved remarkably successful.

12. The hours it takes to prepare a traditional Feijoada, Brazil’s national dish. This hearty stew of black beans and pork is a labour of love, involving long hours of soaking, simmering and resting. Served with white rice, farofa and slices of orange, Feijoada is far more than a meal, it’s a collective ritual, a Sunday gathering of family and friends, and a true symbol of Brazilian cuisine and soul.

13. The years when Rio de Janeiro was, unbelievably, the capital of Portugal. Between 1808 and 1821, in an unprecedented chapter of history, Europe’s only capital city outside the continent itself was established. The Portuguese royal family, led by Prince Regent Dom João VI, fled to Brazil to escape Napoleon’s invasion and moved the entire court to Rio, turning it into the political and cultural heart of the Portuguese Empire until the monarchy returned to Lisbon in 1821.

150. The number of minutes on average that a São Paulo driver spends stuck in traffic each weekday. In this sprawling metropolis, congestion is simply part of life. Drivers lose around 600 hours a year, roughly 26 days, almost a month, sitting in jams. Over a lifetime, that adds up to several years spent inside the car.

120,000. The estimated number of animal species living in Brazil, the most biodiverse country on Earth. The nation is also home to some 55,000 plant species, around 20% of the world’s total. Among its fauna are roughly 1,800 species of birds, 700 mammals and countless insects and freshwater fish. From the Amazon rainforest to the Pantanal wetlands and the Mata Atlântica, every Brazilian ecosystem is a dazzling, one-of-a-kind world of life and colour.