FIA sets out São Paulo GP circuit changes and lapping rules

The FIA Race Director issued version two of the competition notes for the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix on November 7, setting out procedures for teams and officials alongside circuit changes.

Three sections have been partially resurfaced: from the exit of Turn 3 to the exit of Turn 4, from the exit of Turn 4 to the exit of Turn 5, and from the exit of Turn 8 to the exit of Turn 9. Grasscrete on the right before the apexes of Turns 1, 4 and 12 has been replaced with concrete.

The yellow kerbs at the apexes of Turns 2, 8 and 10 have been reduced in height, and new blue track-limit lines have been added at most turns. A debris fence has been installed on the left between Turns 5 and 6; an asphalt patch repair was also made on the right at Turn 13’s exit.

Under the lapping procedure, the marshalling system is set to issue a pre-warning when the faster car is within three seconds of the car it is about to lap. The slower car’s team should use that warning to alert its driver that the slower car will soon be lapped and that letting the faster car through should be a priority. When the faster car is within 1.2 seconds of the car it is about to lap, blue panels are shown to the slower car; its driver must let the faster car pass at the first available opportunity. Practice starts are not allowed during qualifying.