F1 title settled, but Sao Paulo weekend brings Ferrari tension and Gulf race uncertainty

Formula 1’s drivers’ title is settled, but the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend brings a tightening constructors’ contest, tensions at Ferrari and uncertainty over whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned.

Mercedes need three more points than Ferrari on Sunday to secure the constructors’ championship. The team dominated the opening third of the season, winning seven of the first eight races, but Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari have all taken victories since.

Friday practice offered only an early hint of the competitive order: new champion Kimi Antonelli and McLaren’s Lando Norris looked strong, with Norris fastest in the first session.

Ferrari’s drivers face scrutiny

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are under pressure to avoid a repeat of their collision on the first lap in Mexico, which cost Ferrari a potential one-two finish and helped open the way for Max Verstappen to win.

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur said the drivers had discussed the incident on Thursday and that they had been reminded the team must come first. Hamilton, who has called for “serious talks”, said the team needed to work to prevent a repeat.

The dispute comes as Ferrari look towards next season. Hamilton said he believed the team could fight for the championship in 2027, while Vasseur has said Ferrari would need to maintain its chassis performance and improve its engine.

Red Bull and McLaren seek momentum

Verstappen has won three of the past four races and moved into second in the drivers’ standings. He said Red Bull had worked through difficulties with the car and power unit after a difficult start to the season.

McLaren have brought upgrades to Brazil after slipping back from their mid-season high. Norris said the team was not expecting an immediate return to winning, but hoped the changes would improve its qualifying and race prospects.

The constructors’ battle remains significant beyond the title: Red Bull and McLaren are separated by 17 points in the contest for third, which carries implications for team prize money.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi in doubt

The calendar lists three races after Brazil: Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. But the two Gulf events remain uncertain amid the war in the Middle East, and a decision deadline is approaching.

Formula 1 has been speaking to governments and security experts, according to the BBC report. MotoGP is racing in Qatar this weekend, a potential indication of conditions ahead of F1’s planned event there, but it does not settle whether either Grand Prix will proceed.