Everyone’s Talking About Las Vegas… But Brazil Will Be the Real Hit
The F1 world is obsessed with Las Vegas – neon lights, celebrities and pure spectacle. But if you want to see the real race of the season, you need to look at Interlagos this weekend. Why? Brazil has it all: a legendary circuit, 300,000 roaring fans, a title fight on a knife‑edge and Max Verstappen coming for nothing less than the win. This isn’t just another Grand Prix – it’s history in the making.
Interlagos: The Circuit Where Champions Are Made
Forget the polished new tracks. Interlagos is old‑school F1 at its best – and that’s exactly why drivers love it. The 4.3‑kilometre circuit in São Paulo is an emotional roller‑coaster, with the famous Senna‑S diving straight downhill after the start, elevation changes of up to 10 %, and corners where a single mistake can cost you the whole race.
It’s one of the few circuits that is run against the clock, which is physically extremely demanding for the drivers. The mix of fast sections, technical turns and two DRS zones creates spectacle. In 2023 we counted a whopping 181 overtaking moves – proof that this is real racing, not just a parade lap.
Carlos Sainz summed it up perfectly: “It’s a great circuit to put on a good race, great for overtaking, a challenging track.” And we haven’t even mentioned the weather yet. In São Paulo the conditions can flip from blazing sun to torrential downpours in minutes – chaos guaranteed.
The Atmosphere: Carnival Meets Formula 1
And then the vibe. If you think Las Vegas is impressive with its celebrities and VIP boxes, you haven’t experienced Brazil. Here you get real race fans – not influencers looking for a photo op, but people who have F1 in their blood.
In 2024 almost 292,000 fans packed into Interlagos – an all‑time record. This year it gets even crazier because a Brazilian is back on the grid: Gabriel Bortoleto, the 20‑year‑old rookie from São Paulo himself. Tickets flew off the shelves as soon as his debut was announced.
The atmosphere? Think of a football stadium during a World Cup final, but with F1 cars. Flags, horns, chants, samba drums – it’s a street‑party. Daniel Ricciardo once described it: “The Drivers’ Parade here has a carnival feel that gives you an energy boost before you get into the car.”
Max Verstappen confirms it: “They’re so loud – on the narrow starting grid you can hear them cheering over the roar of the engines.”
That’s the difference with Vegas. There you pay for a show. In Brazil the crowd is the show.
The Title Fight: All or Nothing
But a great atmosphere is one thing. The reason you must not miss Brazil is simple: the world championship is on the line.
After Mexico the standings are insanely tight:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) leads by one point
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) is right on his heels
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) sits 36 points behind the leader
With four races left, this is a three‑way battle for the title – something we haven’t seen this intense in years. Brazil could be the turning point.
Why? Because this weekend extra points are on offer via the Saturday sprint. Verstappen can scoop 8 points in the sprint and 25 in the main race – a potential 33 points that could dramatically close the gap to the McLarens. The reverse is true as well: if Norris or Piastri dominate the sprint, Verstappen’s title chances could be almost completely crushed.
“There have been so many world titles decided at Interlagos over the years,” says Nico Hülkenberg. “You feel all those emotions in a single lap of the circuit.”
Remember 2008? Lewis Hamilton snatching his first title on the very last corner of the final lap? Or 2012, when Vettel became champion despite a spin? Interlagos writes history.
Who Will Win This Weekend?
McLaren: The Favorites
On paper Interlagos is McLaren territory. Their MCL39 shines on circuits with many corners and medium downforce – exactly what Interlagos demands. Norris won recently in Mexico and has momentum. Piastri wants to bounce back after losing the lead.
A 1‑2 for McLaren? Not impossible. But there’s one big question mark: the weather. If it rains, their advantage evaporates quickly.
Max Verstappen: The Rain Master
And then there’s Max. Last year he won here from P17 in the rain – one of the most memorable overtaking races ever. If it rains again this weekend (as forecasted), Verstappen could be the favorite.
“Nobody reads changing grip as well as he does,” writes The Guardian. Max has nothing to lose and everything to win. Expect full‑attack mode from the first meter.
Red Bull started the season weak, but late‑season updates have turned the RB21 into a monster again. Verstappen knows he must win here to keep his title aspirations alive.
Mercedes & Ferrari: Outside Chances
Lewis Hamilton has a special bond with Brazil – he’s won there three times and was even made an honorary citizen. George Russell won here in 2022. If the front‑runners get tangled, Mercedes could slip through.
Ferrari, on the other hand, struggles on bumpy tracks, and Interlagos is anything but smooth. Top‑5 finishes are the goal for Leclerc and Sainz.
The Local Hero
And don’t forget Gabriel Bortoleto. He drives for the modest Sauber team, but in Mexico he managed a point. At home in São Paulo he will give everything. Every overtaking move he makes will set the circuit off like Senna himself has returned.
Double Spectacle: Sprint + Grand Prix
This weekend we get two races for the price of one. Saturday features a 24‑lap sprint where the top‑8 score points (8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1). For the title contenders every point is gold.
Schedule
- Friday: Free practice + Sprint Shootout (qualifying for the sprint)
- Saturday: Sprint race + Qualifying for the main race
- Sunday: GRAND PRIX
With rain predicted on Saturday, the sprint could be a chaotic preview of what Sunday will bring. Drivers have to nail a perfect start twice, navigate the tight first corner without damage – double the drama potential.
Brazil vs. Las Vegas: Where Drivers Really Want to Race
Here it gets interesting. Ask drivers where they’d rather race, and the answer is crystal clear.
Max Verstappen wasn’t far off when he talked about Vegas