F1 Brazil GP: Saturday Schedule, Weather Forecast and Viewing Guide
Interlagos prepares for intense qualifying as weather risks threaten to disrupt Saturday's action.
1Antonelli Leads Friday Practice
Kimi Antonelli set the pace in Friday's second practice session at Interlagos with a lap time of 1m10.763s. He finished 0.253s ahead of Lando Norris, while Max Verstappen followed closely in third. The narrow margins between Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull suggest a highly competitive qualifying session is expected on Saturday.
2Grid Penalty for Russell
George Russell faces a significant setback for Sunday's race after receiving a five-place grid penalty. Mercedes opted to fit a sixth internal combustion engine to his car, exceeding the seasonal allocation. This technical change forces the British driver to work harder during qualifying to mitigate the impact of his starting position.
3Unsettled Weather Forecast
Saturday at Interlagos is expected to be warmer, with temperatures reaching 27-29C during the qualifying session. Forecasters warn of an increased risk of showers and potential thunderstorms throughout the day. These volatile conditions could complicate tire management and strategy, making the track surface unpredictable for all competing Formula 1 teams.
4Wind Challenges at Interlagos
Strong winds are anticipated to impact the circuit, with gusts potentially exceeding 40-50 km/h during Saturday's running. These conditions add another layer of difficulty for drivers navigating the compact, anti-clockwise track. The combination of elevation changes and high-speed gusts requires precise car control, particularly through the technical middle sector of the circuit.
5Global Broadcast Options
Viewers in the United States can watch all sessions on Apple TV, the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports remains the exclusive live broadcaster, with additional coverage on Sky Go and NOW. F1 TV continues to serve as the global subscription streaming service for international fans.
6Saturday Session Timings
Free practice 3 is scheduled for 11:30am local time, followed by the crucial qualifying session at 3:00pm BRT. For UK viewers, these sessions occur at 2:30pm and 6:00pm GMT respectively. US-based fans can tune in at 9:30am ET for practice and 1:00pm ET for the start of the qualifying session.
7Technical Circuit Characteristics
The Interlagos circuit is renowned for its compact layout and significant elevation changes. The downhill Senna S corner and the technical middle sector demand high mechanical grip. The long uphill run toward the start-finish line provides frequent overtaking opportunities, making it a favorite for close racing among drivers and teams alike.
8Competitive Landscape Outlook
As the weekend progresses, the focus shifts to how teams adapt to the shifting weather and track conditions. With Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull separated by mere milliseconds, the qualifying session will be decisive. Fans should monitor wind speeds and track surface temperature closely as these factors will dictate overall performance.