F1: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Preview and Betting Tips

The McLaren hierarchy of CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella maintains that they will not choose a ‘number one’ driver.

Lando Norris currently leads teammate Oscar Piastri by one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight ago. Max Verstappen, in third place, is a looming threat just 36 points behind Norris.

The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, commonly referred to as Interlagos, hosts the Sprint weekend. There is a maximum of 33 points on offer to the driver who can win the Sprint and GP races. 

Let’s take a closer look at the iconic circuit.

The Track

Interlagos held its first grand prix in 1973. The 4.309km track features 15 turns and is driven anti-clockwise. It’s known for its first corner and banked sections, which were a characteristic of old circuit layouts.

The middle sector is made up of a snaky in-field section, while the final sector is all about momentum and top speed down the main straight. The longest flat-out section is close to 1.4km and teams tend to opt for a high downforce level.

The 71 race laps are taking place at 64% full throttle with a pit lane time loss of around 18.6 seconds.

Who Are the Favourites?

Interestingly, Verstappen has pipped Norris as the favourite to win the Sprint and Grand Prix. The 28-year-old Red Bull driver has experience in dealing with pressure, and with three wins in the last five races, the momentum is certainly with him.

However, Norris’ performances compared to Piastri have seen him take a slender lead in the drivers’ championship. One can argue that Norris’ recent form could see him make a strong push in the last four races and win his maiden F1 title.

Look out for Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari, who has been on the podium in Austin and Mexico City.

Predictions

Grand Prix Winner: Norris

Sprint Winner: Verstappen

Grand Prix Podium: Norris, Piastri, Leclerc

Sprint Podium: Verstappen, Norris, Piastri

Pole Position: Norris

Sprint Pole: Verstappen

Top 4 and 5: Hamilton, Russell

Finish in the points: Antonelli, Tsunoda, Lawson, Gasly

Race Winning Margin: Over 5 seconds

Fastest Lap: Verstappen

First to Retire: Hulkenberg

First car to retire: Sauber

Most Team Points: McLaren

Both Cars Qualify for Q3 Shootout: Red Bull

Ferrari Practice 1/2/3 Winning Car: Leclerc / Ferrari