Nestled in the Interlagos district of São Paulo, the São Paulo Grand Prix remains one of Formula One’s most dramatic and unpredictable events. Held at the legendary Autódromo José Carlos Pace, the race blends high altitude, changeable weather, and an anti-clockwise layout that routinely delivers chaos and brilliance in equal measure.
Since its renaming from the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2021, the São Paulo Grand Prix has already produced a remarkable collection of winners. Each victory has added another chapter to Interlagos folklore.
What To Know?
- Verstappen’s 17th to 1st Masterclass
In 2024, Max Verstappen won from seventeenth on the grid at the São Paulo Grand Prix, the lowest starting position for a winner at Interlagos in the modern era and one of the greatest wet-weather drives in recent F1 history. - Hamilton’s Disqualification Comeback
Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from qualifying in 2021 and started last in the sprint, yet still fought through to win the Grand Prix for Mercedes, one of the most remarkable recovery weekends ever seen at Interlagos. - Russell’s First Career Victory
The 2022 race marked the maiden Formula One win for George Russell, who converted pole into victory and led a Mercedes one-two finish, confirming his arrival as a front-running force. - Interlagos Rewards Poles and Comebacks Alike
Since the renaming in 2021, winners have come from P1, P10, and P17 on the grid, underlining how unpredictable the race at Autódromo José Carlos Pace can be regardless of starting position.
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List of Every Sao Paulo Grand Prix Winner
| Year | Circuit | Driver | Constructor | Start Pos. | Win margin | Race time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Interlagos | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2025 | Interlagos | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1 | 10.388s | 1hr 32m 01.596s |
| 2024 | Interlagos | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 17 | 19.477s | 2hr 06m 54.430s |
| 2023 | Interlagos | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1 | 8.277s | 1hr 56m 48.894s |
| 2022 | Interlagos | George Russell | Mercedes | 1 | 1.529s | 1hr 38m 34.044s |
| 2021 | Interlagos | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 10 | 10.496s | 1hr 32m 22.851s |
Sao Paulo Grand Prix Winner: 2021 to Today
The inaugural running under the São Paulo name produced one of the most extraordinary weekends of the hybrid era.
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Driving for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from qualifying due to a technical infringement, forcing him to start last in the sprint race. A charge through the field in both the sprint and the Grand Prix itself culminated in a stunning victory from tenth on the grid.
It was not merely a win. It was a statement in a season-long duel that would go down to the final lap in Abu Dhabi. Interlagos once again proved that it rewards resilience as much as outright speed.
In 2022, George Russell delivered a landmark result. After winning the sprint race, the Briton converted pole position into his first Formula One Grand Prix victory on Sunday.
It was a controlled and mature drive under pressure, holding off his teammate to secure a 1-2 finish for Mercedes. For Russell, São Paulo was the breakthrough moment many had predicted since his junior career dominance.
By 2023, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing were rewriting record books.
Starting from pole, Verstappen controlled proceedings with clinical efficiency. While the race featured the usual midfield battles and strategic intrigue, the outcome at the front rarely looked in doubt. The victory formed part of one of the most dominant seasons in Formula One history.
The 2024 edition will be remembered as one of Interlagos’ wildest afternoons.
Treacherous weather triggered safety cars, red flags, and constant uncertainty. Verstappen qualified twelfth and then dropped to seventeenth after a grid penalty. From there, he delivered a masterclass in wet-weather driving, slicing through the field to win by nearly twenty seconds.
The performance ended a ten-race winless streak and set him firmly on course for a fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, which he secured at the subsequent Las Vegas Grand Prix. Paddock observers dubbed him the regenmeister, a rain master in full command of the elements.
Behind him, Alpine achieved a surprise double podium with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, vaulting the team up the Constructors’ standings in dramatic fashion.
The most recent chapter belongs to Lando Norris, who secured victory for McLaren from pole position.
In contrast to the chaos of the previous year, this was a measured and composed performance. Norris managed strategy, tyre wear, and pressure from behind to claim a decisive win margin. For McLaren, it reinforced their resurgence as consistent front-runners in the ground effect era.
Interlagos Continues to Deliver
The São Paulo Grand Prix has already proven that a name change did nothing to dilute its character. From Hamilton’s comeback to Verstappen’s rain-soaked masterpiece and Norris’ controlled triumph, each winner has added a distinct layer to Interlagos history.
With its elevation changes, tight infield, and ever-present threat of tropical downpours, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace remains one of the purest tests on the calendar.
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