Adjusted Sprint Grid Confirmed for 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo After Pit Lane Starts Announced
The stage is set for an electrifying sprint race at Interlagos as Formula 1 action roars back to life in São Paulo for the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. Following Friday’s intense sprint qualifying session, the FIA has officially confirmed the adjusted starting grid — and it comes with a few last-minute changes that could shake up the competition.
McLaren’s Lando Norris will spearhead the grid after delivering a flawless performance to seize pole position. The British driver, who currently leads the drivers’ championship standings, produced a stunning lap that reaffirmed his title credentials. Norris is poised to extend his points advantage, but with the fast-improving Mercedes duo and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri breathing down his neck, his path to victory will be anything but straightforward.
Starting alongside Norris on the front row will be Mercedes’ young prodigy Kimi Antonelli, who continues to impress in his debut F1 season. The Italian driver showcased remarkable composure and precision during qualifying, splitting the two McLarens and securing a front-row start that has fans buzzing with anticipation. Antonelli’s rapid progress this season has made him one of the sport’s brightest rising stars, and a strong sprint result in Brazil could solidify his growing reputation as a future race winner.
On the second row, Oscar Piastri will start in third place, setting up an all-McLaren vs. Mercedes front-row battle that promises fireworks. The Australian driver, known for his consistency and calm under pressure, will aim to challenge both Norris and Antonelli at lights out, potentially setting up a McLaren 1-2 finish if team strategy goes according to plan.
Beside Piastri, George Russell lines up in fourth for Mercedes, giving the Brackley-based team a strong two-car presence at the sharp end of the grid. Russell’s pace in the sprint qualifying session was impressive, and his start could prove critical in helping Mercedes fight McLaren for supremacy in São Paulo.
Row three features two seasoned veterans — Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Alonso, who has been extracting every ounce of performance from his car, remains one of the most strategic drivers on the grid and could take advantage of any chaos ahead. Meanwhile, Verstappen, starting from sixth, faces the challenge of recovering lost ground after a less-than-perfect qualifying session. The reigning world champion’s determination and racecraft, however, make him a constant threat, no matter where he starts.
Behind them, Lance Stroll will begin seventh, giving Aston Martin a solid double-points opportunity in the sprint. Charles Leclerc follows in eighth place for Ferrari — a position he will surely be eager to improve after another difficult qualifying that left both Ferraris struggling for pace.
The top ten is rounded out by Isack Hadjar in ninth for Racing Bulls and Nico Hülkenberg in tenth for Stake F1. Hadjar’s impressive performance once again highlights the young Frenchman’s growing confidence in the midfield battle, while Hülkenberg continues to deliver consistency in an underdog car.
Further down the grid, Lewis Hamilton will start from eleventh in his Ferrari, a disappointing result for the seven-time world champion. The Briton appeared frustrated after his qualifying run, as the car lacked balance and grip in key sectors. Hamilton will need to rely on experience and strategy to fight his way into the points, especially with a strong midfield pack ahead of him.
Alex Albon of Williams takes twelfth, followed by Pierre Gasly in the Alpine in thirteenth. The bottom half of the grid includes Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake) in fourteenth, Oliver Bearman (Haas) in fifteenth, Franco Colapinto (Alpine) in sixteenth, Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) in seventeenth, and Esteban Ocon (Haas) in eighteenth.
However, the biggest shake-up came after the FIA confirmed that Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) would start from the pit lane. Both teams made modifications to their cars under parc fermé conditions, automatically triggering the rule that forces them to forfeit their grid positions. For Sainz, the pit lane start will be a frustrating setback, as Williams had shown promising pace earlier in the weekend. Tsunoda’s penalty, meanwhile, adds to Red Bull’s mixed fortunes in Brazil — with Verstappen starting only sixth and now his teammate forced to launch from the back.
As the sun sets over São Paulo, all eyes will be on Norris to see if he can maintain his momentum and fend off the hungry challengers behind. With young talents like Antonelli and Piastri pushing hard, and seasoned veterans such as Alonso, Hamilton, and Verstappen waiting to capitalize on any opportunity, the sprint race promises high drama and unpredictable action around the legendary Interlagos circuit.
Full 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint Starting Grid (São Paulo):
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Nico Hülkenberg (Stake)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
Pit Lane: Carlos Sainz (Williams), Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
The stage is set — and Interlagos is ready for yet another breathtaking sprint showdown.
