Brazilian Grand Prix 2025 preview: Key F1 talking points
04 November 2025Formula 1 heads to São Paulo for one of the most iconic races on the calendar, the Brazilian Grand Prix and as is often the case when the paddock rolls into the legendary Interlagos Circuit, the Drivers’ Championship is all anyone can talk about.
Round 21 of the 2025 F1 season promises title tension and more wheel-to-wheel action as the fight for the title intensifies between McLaren team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen making his presence very much known.
Here are the key storylines ahead of the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Lando leads the way after Mexico masterclass
After a dominant drive at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lando Norris arrives in Brazil as the new Drivers’ Championship leader.
His performance in Mexico was arguably the most complete of his career: clinical in qualifying, untouchable in race pace, and a generally straightforward weekend as the fastest driver out there.
That victory moved him one point clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri, while Max Verstappen is 36 points adrift. George Russell is still in mathematical contention, but it would require some extraordinary circumstances.
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So, realistically, there are three drivers in with a shout of the title with four rounds to go. Oscar will have to rediscover his form from earlier in the year to take the fight to Lando in the final events, while Max could edge even closer with Brazil being one of his happiest hunting grounds.
The question is, can Norris maintain his Mexico momentum, or will the chasing pack strike back?
Max Verstappen’s happy hunting ground
If there’s one driver who knows how to conquer Interlagos, it’s Verstappen. The Dutchman has enjoyed a remarkable record in Brazil, with three victories – in 2019, 2023 and 2024 – and three further podiums across the past decade.
Last year’s win was particularly memorable. Starting 17th on the grid in a rain-affected, chaotic race, Verstappen carved through the field to claim one of his greatest triumphs.
His previous visits have been no less dramatic. The 2021 duel with Hamilton, the 2018 clash with Ocon while leading, and the unforgettable 2016 wet-weather masterclass that announced his arrival as one of F1’s finest rain conquerors.
Interlagos’ fast changes of elevation, unpredictable conditions and passionate crowd make it a perfect stage for another Verstappen masterclass, and if he can replicate his past form, the title fight could tighten even further.
Another Sprint weekend: more points, more jeopardy
For the second time in three rounds, the Sprint Race format returns, offering extra points and greater potential for huge championship swings.
Interlagos has consistently produced thrilling Sprint action; its short, punchy layout mixed with a lengthy start/finish straight rewards bold overtakes and makes mistakes even more costly.
With just four rounds left, the risk-versus-reward equation becomes a critical variable for the top three in the standings.
A strong Sprint could give Norris or Piastri breathing room, while Verstappen will view it as an ideal chance to claw back points before the main event on Sunday.
Expect aggressive strategies and a few surprises in the midfield too, where every point still counts in the Constructors’ fight for second.
Ferrari on the up: can the Scuderia stay hot?
After a difficult season so far, Ferrari has rediscovered form at a crucial time. Charles Leclerc’s podiums in Singapore and Mexico have given the Scuderia real momentum heading into the final stretch, not to mention Lewis Hamilton’s much-improved pace in recent events.
The SF-25 looks increasingly well-balanced and both drivers have found glimmers of confidence in the car.
Ferrari now sits one point ahead of Mercedes and 10 clear of Red Bull in the fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship, a battle that looks set to go right down to Abu Dhabi.
If Leclerc and Hamilton can carry their recent pace into São Paulo, Ferrari might just emerge as the team to beat among the battling trio.
