Formula 1 returns to Brazil for the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix at the historic Interlagos circuit, where Ferrari shares the record for most victories with McLaren. From Michael Schumacher’s four wins to Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying record and the extraordinary comeback victories witnessed over the years, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace has produced some of the most memorable moments in Formula 1 history.
With its challenging layout, unpredictable weather and long history of championship-deciding races, Interlagos remains one of the most eagerly anticipated venues on the calendar. Here are the key numbers, records and fascinating statistics behind the Brazilian circuit ahead of the 2026 race.
2026 São Paulo GP: Interlagos circuit facts and lap records
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos, was inaugurated in 1940 and hosted its first Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix in 1973. It is one of the few circuits on the calendar to be driven anti-clockwise and is particularly famous for its elevation changes, fast corners and the iconic opening sequence known as the Senna S.
- Circuit length: 4.309 km
- Race distance: 305.879 km
- Number of laps: 71
- Number of corners: 15
- Circuit inaugurated: 1940
- First Formula 1 race: 1973
- Grands Prix held through 2025: 42
- Fastest qualifying lap: 1:07.281 – Lewis Hamilton (2018)
- Fastest race lap: 1:10.540 – Valtteri Bottas (2018)
The difference between the qualifying benchmark and race lap record reflects the distinction between outright single-lap performance and the fastest lap achieved during a Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton set the qualifying benchmark in 2018, while Valtteri Bottas recorded the fastest race lap that same year.
Fans can explore additional historical results, winners and qualifying benchmarks through the dedicated Interlagos F1 records and statistics database.
Interlagos F1 records: Michael Schumacher leads the winners’ list
Across the 42 Formula 1 Grands Prix held at Interlagos through 2025, 26 different drivers have claimed at least one victory. Michael Schumacher holds the all-time record with four wins at the Brazilian circuit, underlining his remarkable record at one of Formula 1’s most demanding venues.
Behind the seven-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen each have three victories. George Russell and Lando Norris have also won at Interlagos, with one victory apiece.
Among the constructors, Ferrari and McLaren share the all-time Interlagos record with nine victories each. Red Bull follows with seven wins, while Mercedes has claimed six.
In terms of engine manufacturers, Mercedes leads the historical standings with 12 victories at the Brazilian venue, a total that also includes successes achieved by McLaren. Teams have secured a one-two finish at Interlagos on ten occasions. The most recent came in 2022, when George Russell claimed victory ahead of Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Only two drivers have completed a Grand Slam at the circuit: Jacques Laffite in 1979 and Mika Häkkinen in 1998. Both achieved pole position, the fastest race lap and victory while leading every lap of the Grand Prix.
The smallest winning margin in Interlagos history came in 2002, when Michael Schumacher defeated his brother Ralf Schumacher by just 0.588 seconds. Remarkably, Michael Schumacher also holds the record for the largest winning margin at the venue, having won the 1994 Grand Prix by more than a lap.
São Paulo GP pole position records and qualifying statistics
Interlagos has seen 25 different drivers secure at least one pole position. Five share the record for the most poles at the Brazilian circuit, with three each: Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen, Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton.
Among drivers on the current grid, Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have each achieved two pole positions at Interlagos. Fernando Alonso and Nico Hülkenberg have one apiece. Mika Häkkinen and Felipe Massa also share the record for the most consecutive pole positions, with three. The Finnish driver achieved his sequence between 1998 and 2000, while the Brazilian matched that achievement between 2006 and 2008.
The largest pole position advantage recorded at Interlagos belongs to Nigel Mansell, who outqualified the second-fastest driver by 1.191 seconds in 1992. At the opposite extreme, Rubens Barrichello secured pole position in 2003 by just 0.011 seconds.
Ferrari’s Interlagos podium record and the greatest recovery drive
Michael Schumacher also holds the outright record for podium finishes at Interlagos, having reached the top three on ten occasions. Fernando Alonso follows closely with nine podium appearances, despite never winning a Formula 1 race at the Brazilian circuit.
Among constructors, Ferrari leads the historical Interlagos podium standings with 28 top-three finishes, ahead of McLaren, which reached 26 podiums in 2025. The greatest recovery from a starting-grid position to a podium finish belongs to Carlos Sainz, who finished third in the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix after starting from 20th.
Michael Schumacher’s achievements and the wider history of Ferrari’s most successful Formula 1 drivers can also be explored in the Ferrari F1 driver records database.
Winning from pole and the biggest comebacks at Interlagos
Of the 42 Grands Prix held at Interlagos through 2025, 19 were won by the driver starting from pole position. Lando Norris became the latest driver to achieve that feat in 2025, converting pole into his first victory at the Brazilian circuit.
Starting on the front row has proved particularly valuable, with 32 of the 42 races won by drivers beginning the Grand Prix from one of the first two grid positions. However, Interlagos has also produced extraordinary comeback victories. Max Verstappen holds the record for winning from the lowest starting position, having charged from 17th on the grid to victory in the rain-affected 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix.
Before that performance, the benchmark belonged to Lewis Hamilton, who won the 2021 race after starting tenth.
These achievements demonstrate how the circuit’s combination of overtaking opportunities and changing conditions can sometimes overturn the advantage gained during qualifying.
Fastest laps, rain, Safety Cars and red flags at Interlagos
From its Formula 1 debut in 1973 through the end of the 2025 season, Interlagos hosted a total of 2,741 World Championship race laps.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most fastest race laps at the circuit, having set the quickest lap on five occasions, one more than Lewis Hamilton. Weather has frequently played a decisive role at the Brazilian venue. Ten editions have been affected by rain, including the particularly challenging 2024 race, which took place in difficult conditions.
The Safety Car has also been a major factor in several memorable Grands Prix. The record for the most Safety Car appearances in a single race is five, established in 2016 during one of the most chaotic editions in Interlagos history.
Six Grands Prix have been interrupted by red flags: 1974, 1997, 2003, 2016, 2023 and 2024. The 2016 race was particularly eventful, featuring two separate suspensions.
The venue’s unpredictable nature makes conditions an important consideration ahead of every race weekend. Further information about the circuit’s characteristics and the challenges facing drivers is available in the São Paulo GP circuit and weather guide.
Interlagos and its history of deciding Formula 1 world championships
Beyond individual race victories and records, Interlagos has played a decisive role in the outcome of several Formula 1 World Championships.
On six occasions, the Drivers’ World Championship has been mathematically decided following the Grand Prix at the Brazilian circuit. Between 2005 and 2009, Interlagos hosted the title-deciding race for five consecutive seasons.
The most recent driver to secure the world championship in Brazil was Sebastian Vettel in 2012, following a dramatic season finale. The Constructors’ Championship has also been settled at Interlagos on five occasions. The latest came in 2018, when Mercedes mathematically secured its fifth consecutive constructors’ title.
Another striking statistic highlights the connection between success in Brazil and championship glory. Of the 42 races held at Interlagos through 2025, the winner went on to secure the Drivers’ World Championship in the same season on 18 occasions. Lando Norris was the latest to achieve that combination in 2025.
With its long history of Ferrari victories, championship deciders, dramatic weather and unforgettable comebacks, Interlagos continues to occupy a special place in Formula 1. The 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix weekend schedule provides the practice, qualifying and race start times as the championship returns to Brazil.
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