Interlagos faces another wet race day, with steady rain remains a threat. Cool air and a soaked surface could reshape the Brazilian Grand Prix from its first lap. For Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, the forecast may open a route through traffic.
The Sunday weather update points to persistent rain at Interlagos, though Saturday’s thunderstorms should not return. Forecasts place the heaviest showers between 9am and noon in São Paulo, with lighter rain later. That pattern could leave teams to judge grip and tyre choice as conditions shift. Read the latest Interlagos weather forecast for more detail.
Brazilian Grand Prix rain threat at Interlagos
Rain fell through the night, and forecasts point to more showers before race time. The wet track could shape strategy well before the opening lap. Saturday’s downpours and thunderstorms are not expected to match Sunday’s steadier rain. Still, Interlagos weather can shift fast, so teams must watch each update.
Rain should ease after noon, yet the surface may stay damp throughout the race. Teams must weigh tyre grip against the risk of a later downpour. The choices for wet-weather tyres matter when water levels change. In these conditions, a cautious call can protect a driver’s race.
Cool temperatures add pressure to race strategy
Saturday’s qualifying session reached 29 to 30 degrees Celsius, while Sunday should stay below 15. That sharp drop makes tyre warm-up a central concern for every team. The cold air tests tyre grip on a wet surface, where drivers need confidence under braking. A slow tyre response could cost time through Interlagos’s tight turns.
Teams must balance early pace with tyre temperature and changing rain levels. A set-up that suits one lap may not serve a long stint. The demands of the São Paulo circuit leave little room for error. Good race strategy may depend on reading the surface, not just the forecast.
Grid penalties set up comeback drives
Verstappen starts 21st, while Hamilton starts 20th after engine changes brought grid penalties. The penalties create a tough recovery for both former champions. Norris took pole, ahead of Antonelli, with Lawson third and Hulkenberg fourth. Russell drops from second-fastest to seventh after his own five-place penalty.
Rain may give the back-row pair more chances to pass, but it also raises the risk. Each move through traffic will demand care on the slick track. The weather concerns raised after Saturday’s session underline that challenge. For Verstappen and Hamilton, the forecast leaves room for a fight back, not a promise.
