By: Interlagos always delivers compelling, thrilling sessions. Its layout offers a range of driving approaches, while wet conditions heighten the challenge still further. We witnessed genuinely intense sessions from Q1 through to Q3. The rain gives no respite, with the track constantly evolving and drivers and engineers forced to continually assess the weather conditions to avoid making mistakes.
Just how exciting qualifying was is clear from the presence of Fernando Alonso in Q3, with Lawson fifth, closely followed by Hulkenberg, ahead of Hadjar. Unfortunately, the spectacle is offset by the penalties resulting from the numerous engine changes. Knowing they would be sent to the back of the grid, Verstappen and Hamilton gave up in Q2 without even fighting, when it would have been great to see them in Q3 battling the others for pole position.
Brazilian GP starting grid – Formation lap at 18:00 Italian time
Wet conditions have shaken up the grid, with engine penalties (five places for Russell, 10 for Leclerc and back-of-the-grid starts for Verstappen, Hamilton and Perez) determining the starting order. This is the provisional grid issued by the FIA at the end of qualifying (it could change further over the next two hours; updates will follow). The formation lap for the Brazilian GP is scheduled for Sunday 8 November at 18:00 Italian time.
Opportunities await Lawson and Hulkenberg on the second row. Fernando Alonso will start eighth alongside George Russell.
| Grid | No. | Driver | Qualifying |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Norris | 1 |
| 2 | 12 | Antonelli | 3 |
| 3 | 30 | Lawson | 5 |
| 4 | 27 | Hülkenberg | 6 |
| 5 | 6 | Hadjar | 7 |
| 6 | 87 | Bearman | 8 |
| 7 | 63 | Russell | 2 |
| 8 | 14 | Alonso | 9 |
| 9 | 23 | Albon | 10 |
| 10 | 81 | Piastri | 12 |
| 11 | 51 | Camara | 13 |
| 12 | 41 | Lindblad | 14 |
| 13 | 55 | Sainz | 15 |
| 14 | 16 | Leclerc | 4 |
| 15 | 43 | Colapinto | 17 |
| 16 | 10 | Gasly | 18 |
| 17 | 18 | Stroll | 19 |
| 18 | 77 | Bottas | 20 |
| 19 | 5 | Bortoleto | 22 |
| 20 | 44 | Hamilton | 11 |
| 21 | 3 | Verstappen | 16 |
| 22 | 11 | Perez | 21 |
Source: FIA – Provisional starting grid for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix. The "Qualifying" column indicates the position achieved in qualifying before penalties were applied.
Why are we referring to a provisional grid? Because team technicians could still identify issues with the cars before tomorrow's race and, should a component subject to regulatory restrictions need to be replaced, the Federation would be forced to drop the affected driver several positions on the grid.
Cover photo by Finlay Williams / WHYOUT Images
Internal photo: X, F1
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Brazilian GP 2026
