Formula 1 heads to São Paulo for the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, one of the most iconic stops on the calendar — a race that so often delivers drama, unpredictability, and championship-shaping moments. As the season nears its finale, Interlagos once again promises fireworks.
The undulating, counter-clockwise circuit has hosted countless classics, from Hamilton’s 2008 title miracle to Verstappen’s masterclass in 2019. And in 2025, the battle looks set to centre on the two McLaren drivers as the WDC battle intensifies and Red Bull, Mercedes & Ferrari in their WCC battle, plus a tightly packed midfield ready to pounce if the frontrunners stumble.
Let’s break down who could emerge victorious, who might make the podium, and which midfield stars could steal valuable points in Brazil.
The Form Book
Heading into São Paulo, Lando Norris sits at the peak of his powers. His dominant victory in Mexico — ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen — showcased McLaren’s incredible race pace and tyre management. Norris has now won three of the last five races, cutting Verstappen’s points advantage and putting himself right in the hunt for the championship.
His teammate Oscar Piastri hasn’t matched that level of form lately, slipping behind after a few tough weekends, but the Australian remains capable of podium finishes — especially at tracks that reward consistency through high-speed corners.
Red Bull, meanwhile, are trying to claw back lost ground. Max Verstappen’s third-place finish in Mexico proved he’s still capable of extracting results even when the car isn’t perfect, but recent updates haven’t fully solved their balance and tyre degradation issues.
Ferrari, led by Charles Leclerc, continue to impress with one-lap pace and improved tyre life. Leclerc’s recent podiums in Austin and Mexico highlight their progress — and Interlagos could suit the SF-25’s strong traction and medium-downforce efficiency.
Behind them, Mercedes and Williams are hovering just off the podium picture, while Aston Martin, Haas, Kick Sauber and Racing Bulls are locked in an intense midfield fight.
Interlagos: A Track Made for the Brave
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos, is a 4.3km rollercoaster with constant elevation changes, aggressive braking zones, and unpredictable weather.
The short lap length (just over 70 seconds in qualifying) means margins are tiny — one mistake can cost multiple positions. The track also features some of the best overtaking spots in F1: the Senna S, Descida do Lago, and Turn 4 all provide chances for brave lunges.
Interlagos’ combination of medium-speed corners and high tyre stress typically rewards cars with strong traction and good ride quality — qualities McLaren and Ferrari currently excel in.
And then there’s the weather wildcard. Rain often plays a role in São Paulo. If the heavens open, we could see chaos — and perhaps an unexpected name on the podium.
Winner Prediction: Lando Norris (McLaren)
It’s hard to look past Lando Norris right now. The Brit has hit a rhythm few can match — confident, precise, and ruthless when opportunities arise. McLaren’s current package thrives in conditions like those at Interlagos, combining exceptional downforce with efficient straight-line speed.
Norris’ ability to manage tyres while maintaining pace makes him a clear favourite. If he starts from the front row, he’ll be incredibly difficult to beat over a race distance.
A win in Brazil would mark Norris’s fourth victory in six races, keeping his championship hopes alive heading into the final stretch in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Podium Predictions: Verstappen and Leclerc
2nd – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Even when Red Bull aren’t at their best, Verstappen usually finds a way to make it work. He’s a three-time winner in São Paulo and understands how to attack the tricky middle sector better than anyone else. Expect him to push Norris hard early on but ultimately settle for second as tyre wear catches up.
3rd – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Leclerc’s consistency in recent weeks has been impressive. Ferrari’s upgrades have helped stabilise their tyre degradation — a major weakness earlier in the season. Interlagos should suit the SF-25’s characteristics, and Leclerc’s qualifying pace could put him in the fight for a podium once again.
Outside chance: Oscar Piastri. If McLaren get both cars hooked up, Piastri could easily replace Leclerc in the top three, especially if rain mixes things up.
The Midfield Points Battle
Mercedes & Williams
Mercedes’ form remains up and down. George Russell’s qualifying pace is usually strong, but race pace has been inconsistent. However, in recent races, Mercedes have shown flashes of improvement — particularly in hotter conditions. If they can get strategy right, Russell could secure a solid P5 or P6.
Williams, meanwhile, continue to impress in 2025. Alex Albon has been the standout performer in the lower top ten, regularly scoring points, while Carlos Sainz’s run of bad luck continued with a DNF in Mexico. If reliability holds, Williams could outscore Mercedes again in Brazil.
Haas and Racing Bulls
Haas are emerging as one of the surprise midfield performers this season. Oliver Bearman’s breakout P4 in Mexico was a clear sign of progress, while Esteban Ocon continues to deliver when it counts. Expect both cars to be fighting for the lower end of the points — especially if rain throws the order into chaos.
Racing Bulls remain in the mix, with Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson consistently battling in the top 12. However, the team needs a clean weekend to convert speed into points.
Final Thoughts
With four races remaining in 2025, the Brazilian Grand Prix could play a defining role in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ battles. Expect the two McLaren drivers to be giving it their all and the battle for second in the WCC to heat up between Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari.
But Interlagos has a habit of rewriting the script — and if the weather intervenes, we could see anything from a Norris masterclass to a shock midfield podium.
For now, though, Lando Norris looks poised to continue his charge — and perhaps take one step closer to the ultimate prize.
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