Formula 1 announced on Saturday that the São Paulo Grand Prix will continue to be held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, in Interlagos, until 2035. That is five seasons beyond the current contract, renegotiated in 2023, which was due to expire in 2030.
The announcement came on the eve of the race itself. The São Paulo round is the 20th of the 2026 calendar and closes on Sunday a race weekend that began on Friday.
The only South American stop
Interlagos is currently the championship's only Grand Prix in South America. The circuit made its world championship debut in 1973 and shared the Brazilian race with Rio de Janeiro for part of the 1980s before taking it over for good. With the renewal, its presence on the calendar now spans more than six decades.
The track is also one of the places where titles have been settled: it is where Ayrton Senna won at home for the first time, in 1991, where Kimi Räikkönen took the championship with Ferrari in 2007, and where Lewis Hamilton won the first of his titles, with McLaren, in 2008.
What the city is putting in
According to Formula 1, the new contract comes with "significant investment" from the prefeitura de São Paulo (the city government), run by Mayor Ricardo Nunes, aimed at the fan experience at the circuit. Neither the series nor the city released figures, construction timetables or a list of what will be done.
The push for infrastructure came from the series itself: according to the newspaper Estadão, Formula 1's chief executive called for improvements at the circuit as part of the renewal. That is the thing to watch — the contract is signed, the city's side of the bargain still has no public number attached.
"An important part of the history"
"Brazil is an important part of Formula 1's history and future," said the series' chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, in announcing the extension. He added that he was pleased the five-year deal keeps Formula 1 racing in São Paulo until 2035, and described the passion of Brazilian fans as "extraordinary", saying it is felt both in the grandstands and across the city.
With information from Agência Brasil, CNN Brasil and Estadão.
