Overview
- Lando Norris converted Sprint pole into the lead at Interlagos and remained in front after the restart.
- Rookie Pietro Antonelli held second place during the stoppage and continued to run strongly after the race resumed.
- Multiple incidents triggered a safety car and then a red flag for barrier repairs, including Oscar Piastri hitting the wall and offs for Nico Hülkenberg and Franco Colapinto.
- Ferrari prioritized race-pace work in FP1 and paid for it in Sprint qualifying, with Charles Leclerc eighth and Lewis Hamilton 11th before both gained positions early in the Sprint.
- Max Verstappen qualified only sixth for the Sprint and ran fourth during the live phase, as McLaren underlined its weekend speed by topping FP1 and taking Sprint pole.