Lewis Hamilton will start the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix two places higher than initially expected after a calculated Ferrari qualifying decision secured an unexpected advantage over Max Verstappen. Although both drivers were destined for the back of the grid because of power unit penalties, their contrasting approaches during Saturday’s wet qualifying session ultimately affected their starting positions.
The FIA’s original starting grid listed Hamilton in 22nd place, but a subsequent revision promoted the seven-time world champion to 20th. That adjustment places the Ferrari driver ahead of Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who are set to occupy the final row at Interlagos.
Why Ferrari kept Lewis Hamilton on track during Brazilian GP qualifying
Several drivers faced grid penalties heading into the São Paulo race weekend after changes to engine components. Among them were Hamilton and Verstappen, who already knew before qualifying that their sanctions would prevent them from starting in the positions they might otherwise have earned on Saturday.
The difficult weather conditions made the situation particularly interesting. With little prospect of escaping the back of the grid, Verstappen elected not to participate in Q2 after completing the opening qualifying segment. The Red Bull driver therefore avoided further running on the wet circuit, where mistakes could have carried additional consequences.
Ferrari chose a different approach. Instead of keeping Hamilton in the garage, the Italian team sent the Briton back onto the track for several flying laps in Q2. The decision initially appeared to offer limited value given his existing penalty, but it ultimately proved important when the starting order was established.
Neither Verstappen nor Perez registered a lap time in the second qualifying segment. Hamilton, by contrast, completed timed laps, giving Ferrari an advantage when the relevant qualifying results and penalties were taken into account.
Lewis Hamilton moves ahead of Max Verstappen after FIA grid revision
The significance of Ferrari’s decision became apparent after the FIA updated the Brazilian Grand Prix starting grid. Hamilton’s number 44 car had originally been assigned 22nd position, leaving him at the very back of the field.
Following the correction, however, the Ferrari driver moved up to P20, while Verstappen and Perez were placed behind him. By continuing to participate in qualifying despite the penalty, Hamilton secured a two-position improvement that would otherwise have been lost.
The outcome provides another example of how qualifying classification and the final starting grid can differ when penalties are applied. Ferrari’s wider qualifying and race performance statistics also distinguish between a driver’s Saturday result, official grid position and eventual race finish.
For Hamilton, the outcome offers a modest but potentially useful benefit after the Ferrari power unit concerns that emerged during the Mexico City Grand Prix. The team has at least managed to reduce the immediate starting-grid disadvantage associated with his penalty.
Why two extra grid positions could matter at Interlagos
Although starting 20th rather than 22nd does not transform Hamilton’s prospects, it gives him two fewer cars to negotiate as he attempts to recover positions during Sunday’s race. That difference could prove particularly useful if the predicted rain creates another difficult afternoon at Interlagos.
Wet conditions can make the opening laps more unpredictable, placing greater importance on visibility, grip and avoiding incidents in traffic. Any improvement in starting position therefore offers a potentially valuable opportunity, even when the driver remains close to the rear of the field.
With further rain forecast for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, Ferrari will hope Hamilton can use the revised starting position as the first step towards a recovery drive.
The two-place gain is far from a guarantee of a strong result, but it represents a small strategic success for the Maranello team. In a qualifying session where both Hamilton and Verstappen were already facing severe grid penalties, Ferrari’s decision to continue running has given its driver a better starting position than his Red Bull rival.
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