The Sao Paulo Grand Prix arrives this weekend as a critical juncture in the 2026 Formula 1 season. While the drivers’ championship is already decided, the constructors’ title remains a hotly contested prize. Mercedes, currently holding a significant lead, aims to secure the three points they need over Ferrari to clinch the constructors’ championship, effectively underscoring their return to the dominance they enjoyed throughout the 2010s. And the constructors’ may well be on Sunday, but Formula 1 marches restlessly, relentlessly on, the drivers’ title is sewn up. With Antonelli and Lando Norris in an upgraded McLaren initially appearing in good shape in Friday practice, but beyond that there are a number of running narratives to maintain the interest, only the beginnings of a competitive picture have emerged in Sao Paulo. It’s clear we failed and we have to react but the meeting was a clear reminder that Ferrari comes first. There’s some times you say things and maybe you might regret it afterwards, but I don’t, he also said: “Of course. You have to work with everyone around you, and to be able to win. As the constructors’ championship decides prize money and there are only 17 points between Red Bull and McLaren in the battle for third, and in the region of $10m on the line, and for the teams it matters.
Ferrari enters the weekend grappling with internal friction. The primary challenge facing team principal Frederic Vasseur is the escalating tension between his drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The two collided on the opening lap in Mexico last weekend, a blunder that severely damaged their race and allowed rivals to capitalize. Hamilton openly criticized the incident afterward, citing ‘big problems’ within the team and calling for ‘serious talks’ to resolve the matter. Charles Leclerc trails Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton by 14 points in the drivers’ championship. I’m just happy that within a season we had such a big turnaround. We had a lot of difficulties as a team in the beginning.
Vasseur confirmed that those discussions took place upon their arrival in Brazil. He described the meetings as constructive, noting that the goal was to clarify positions and reiterate that the team’s collective success remains the top priority. ‘The guidelines are still the same,’ Vasseur stated. ‘They need to respect each other. The message was clear and will stay clear.’ Despite this, the situation remains delicate, with the potential for further conflict if the team cannot maintain internal harmony. It was good to clarify our positions and now we turn the page. As is the difficulty in finding a solution, and the potential for further trouble down the line, the magnitude of this situation is obvious. Even when I was in that position or fighting the midfield, I was still trying to do the best that I could get out of the situation.
Hamilton has been particularly vocal, emphasizing that he does not regret being authentic about his frustrations.
He pointed out that he has witnessed similar dynamics between Leclerc and his previous teammates, suggesting this is a recurring issue. ‘We could have easily had a one-two,’ Hamilton said. ‘I wear my heart on my sleeve and I say how I feel in the moment. We could have easily had a one-two and so we definitely have to work towards making sure that doesn’t happen again,” Hamilton said, adding that he thought this was a theme between Leclerc and his team-mates that he had also seen with his predecessors Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.
He acknowledged that his outspoken nature presents a unique challenge for the team, but insisted he will continue to push for the necessary changes to ensure future victories. It’s not so easy having someone like me come into a team because I’m very outspoken and I push and push and push, push for so many changes and I’m going to be pushing for more, hamilton said: “Naturally.
While Ferrari addresses internal disputes, Red Bull has found renewed momentum in the season’s closing stages.
Max Verstappen, who benefited from the Ferrari mishap in Mexico, has secured three victories in the last four races.
This surge has propelled him to second in the drivers’ championship, a position that seemed unlikely earlier in the year when the team struggled with car performance. Verstappen expressed surprise at his current standing but credited the team for never giving up on finding improvements.
The competition for the runner-up spot in the drivers’ standings remains intense. Verstappen holds a narrow two-point lead over Hamilton, who is himself nine points ahead of George Russell. Although the drivers often prioritize winning over minor podium places, the psychological edge and team motivation provided by finishing second remain valuable as they look toward the 2027 season. For the constructors, the championship payout linked to final standings adds significant weight to the remaining races.
McLaren, meanwhile, is working to close the gap they faced at the start of the year. While not as dominant as Red Bull, the team is showing a similar upward trajectory in performance. Kimi Antonelli, the newly crowned world champion, is focusing on using these final races to prepare for a title defense in 2027, while teammate George Russell continues his work to rectify his earlier season struggles. According to new world champion Kimi Antonelli, He sees the final races of the season as preparation to defend his title in 2027, and his vanquished Mercedes team-mate George Russell is working on understanding where things went wrong, with the aim of putting them right. Since then, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have all had their time in the sun, and out of the past 12 races, Mercedes have won six, Red Bull three, McLaren two and Ferrari one. This is a problem that really needs to be solved because if Ferrari can keep hold of the chassis advantage they have had this year and bring their engine up to the level of Mercedes and Red Bull, they could be title contenders next year, from Vasseur’s point of view. The power-unit, they’re doing their thing and I really hope that they’re able to pull through, and obviously. The head of aerodynamics to make sure that we hold on to the goodness of the car we have this year and fix some of the small, subtle things that could be better, i’m in the process of working with the head of aero. Because that would mean they did not have to fly to China a week after the end of the season to attend the FIA prize-giving in Shanghai, which is mandatory for the top three, and none would be that unhappy to be fourth.
The broader F1 landscape is also navigating external logistical challenges. As the season nears its conclusion, discussions continue regarding global security and racing commitments in the final rounds. With the championship hunt intensifying and teams looking to gain a data advantage for next year, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix serves as the first chapter in the evolving battle for supremacy in 2027.
