Brazilian Grand Prix Preview: Antonelli arrives at Interlagos as champion, Mercedes eye constructors' title

Formula 1 travels to the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, Brazil, for the Brazilian Grand Prix, round 20 of 23 in the 2026 season. Practice begins on Friday 6 November, with FP1 and FP2 followed by FP3 and Qualifying on Saturday 7 November, and the race on Sunday 8 November.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrives at Interlagos having already secured the drivers' championship, according to Motorsport.com, which reports that the Mercedes driver clinched his first title at the previous round in Mexico City. Motorsport.com also notes that Antonelli, at 20 years old, became Formula 1's youngest-ever world champion and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Ahead of the weekend, Motorsport.com reports that Antonelli visited Ayrton Senna's family estate, describing the experience as "very emotional," while Crash.net reports that he will run a tribute helmet honouring Senna.

In the drivers' standings, Antonelli leads on 380 points, with Max Verstappen second on 261 and Lewis Hamilton third on 259 — a gap of just two points between them. George Russell sits fourth on 250 and Charles Leclerc fifth on 245, meaning four drivers are separated by only 35 points in the battle for the remaining podium positions in the championship.

In the constructors' standings, Mercedes lead on 630 points, with Ferrari second on 504. Crash.net reports that Mercedes can seal the constructors' world championship at this race.

Recent form shows Verstappen winning in Mexico City ahead of Hamilton and Antonelli, while Antonelli took victory at the United States Grand Prix ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen. Verstappen also won in Singapore, with Leclerc second and Antonelli third.

According to both Autosport and Motorsport.com, Ferrari arrive at Interlagos facing internal tension between Hamilton and Leclerc, with the two outlets reporting that the team is set for a crunch meeting as that situation reaches Brazil.

Motorsport.com also reports that Rafa Camara, a Ferrari junior, will make his Formula 1 debut this weekend for Haas on home soil in Brazil, having been drafted in following Esteban Ocon's departure from the team. Separately, Motorsport.com reports that Verstappen has referenced a software issue that affected the 2026 cars in wet conditions at a previous race, joking that he has "installed antivirus now" in response to questions about the prospect of rain in Brazil.