- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Show Preview
Riding high on the news that São Paulo will have Formula One visiting its iconic Interlagos circuit until 2030, it is time for what will be another thrilling grand prix at this 4.3km rollercoaster. Tune in on The Roar from 4am (AEDT) for live blog coverage and lap-by-lap updates.
The São Paulo Grand Prix is always known for exciting races, including championship deciders like 15 years ago when Paulista Felipe Massa was cruelly denied the title on the final lap while Lewis Hamilton claimed his first.
Twelve months ago, this was the scene of Mercedes’ one and only win in 2022 and their last in Formula One. George Russell stitching together an emphatic weekend on that occasion to win the Sprint and his first grand prix.
Max Verstappen though sealed pole position on Friday for the 71-lap race ahead, three-tenths quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and a surprise performance from Aston Martin to see their cars occupy the second row – led by Lance Stroll.
Grid penalties were handed out to Russell and both Alpine drivers for impeding, with the trio all given two-place drops. Reigning race winner Russell will now start the race from eighth.
Mercedes have won the last two races here, including the emphatic 2021 win from the rear of the grid for Hamilton via the Sprint. It has been thought that if the Silver Arrows were to win a race in 2023, it would be here.
Friday practice saw drivers struggle with overheating on their hard compound tyres, as well as in the Sprint on the softs where tyre management dominated proceedings. With clear weather ahead, a minimum two-stop race should be expected.
The 24-lap Sprint confirmed Red Bull’s pace supremacy with Sergio Perez featuring in the top three, behind winner Verstappen. The order behind them though is what will be intriguing to see in the grand prix.
McLaren, courtesy of Lando Norris’ second in the Sprint, are the ones to watch but will have to work their way up the top ten. Mercedes with the benefit of track position ahead, seem a surety to get ahead of Aston Martin. But after their recent struggles and now in with a sniff of a podium – it would be a wasted opportunity if Stroll and Alonso didn’t go for it.
Even though Verstappen continues to chase and break records, Brazil is the sort of race where anything can happen and the unpredictable is fascinating.
Lights out: 4am (AEDT)
Venue: Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Brazil
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports
Grid
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 3. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 6. Lando Norris (McLaren), 7. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 8. George Russell (Mercedes), 9. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 11. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), 12. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 13. Alexander Albon (Williams), 14. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 15. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 16. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), 17. Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri), 18. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), 19. Logan Sargeant (Williams), 20. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo)
Hide Preview
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.