F1 Team Principals Discuss Interlagos Challenges, McLaren's Title Hopes, and 2026 Regulations

In a pre-race press conference for the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix, team principals James Vowles (Williams), Andrea Stella (McLaren), and Alan Permane (Racing Bulls) shared insights on the unique challenges of Interlagos, their teams' performances, the fierce midfield battle, and the implications of upcoming 2026 regulations.

Why it matters:

The São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos is renowned for its unpredictability, often delivering thrilling races and unexpected outcomes. As F1 approaches significant regulation changes in 2026, team strategies regarding resource allocation, driver experience, and tire compounds are critical. The discussions highlight the intense competition, particularly in the midfield, and the strategic decisions teams face to maintain performance in both current and future seasons.

The details:

• Interlagos Challenges: All three principals acknowledged Interlagos's unique anti-clockwise layout, which presents a physical challenge for drivers. The short, close-lap track intensifies competition, especially in the midfield. Sprint weekends add another layer of complexity due to limited practice time.
• Historic Memories: Each principal shared a personal memory from Interlagos:
  • James Vowles: Winning the championship in 2009.
  • Andrea Stella: Kimi Räikkönen's championship win in 2007, confirmed after a four-hour wait.
  • Alan Permane: His first visit in 1990 and Fernando Alonso's championship wins in 2005-2006.
• McLaren's Championship Bid: Andrea Stella expressed confidence in McLaren's position in the Drivers' Championship, with only one point separating their two drivers. He noted the team's fast car, skilled drivers, and preparedness, seeing themselves as contenders to challenge Verstappen's dominance.
  • Driver Dynamics: Stella sees no escalating tension between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, attributing their collaboration to strong internal dialogue and mutual respect.
  • Car Performance: The MCL39 is expected to perform well at Interlagos due to the track's long corners and less prescribed trajectories, conditions where the car excels. Oscar Piastri showed strong pace in FP1, indicating a bounce-back from previous races where conditions were 'unnatural' for him.
• Racing Bulls' Pointless Streak: Alan Permane acknowledged Racing Bulls' longest pointless streak since Azerbaijan, attributing it to minor issues and the highly competitive midfield where small differences in pace can drop a team out of the points. He remains optimistic for Interlagos after a decent FP1 session.
• Williams' Frustrations: James Vowles described recent races in Austin and Mexico as 'bittersweet' and 'disappointing', citing accidents, pit limiter issues, and setup challenges. Despite being 39 points clear of Racing Bulls, he considers the P5 battle far from over, especially with two sprint weekends remaining and unpredictable weather.
• 2026 Regulations: The upcoming chassis, tire, and power unit regulations pose a massive challenge. Team principals are working with the FIA to ensure a constructive regulatory framework that preserves good racing. Resource allocation between current and future championships is a constant juggle.
  • People Management: The principals emphasized the importance of supporting staff, managing fatigue, and investing in wellbeing due to the demanding 24-race calendar and extensive travel across time zones.
• Tyre Strategy Debate: The F1 Commission is discussing ways to move away from one-stop races. Permane, Stella, and Vowles generally prefer more stops but cautioned against forced rules that could lead to identical strategies and reduced variability. They stressed the importance of tyre degradation and compound gaps for varied race strategies.
• Franco Colapinto: James Vowles praised Franco Colapinto's recent performance and his confirmed seat with Alpine for next year, highlighting his talent and massive fan following, especially in Argentina.
• Driver Experience for 2026: Alan Permane stated that driver lineup decisions are unrelated to 2026 regulations, focusing instead on current stability within Red Bull's championship battle. He acknowledged the constant importance of experienced drivers but noted that 2026 will be a fresh start for everyone, increasing the reliance on simulator work.

What's next:

The remaining races will be crucial for McLaren's championship aspirations and the intense midfield battle for constructor positions. The insights shared regarding 2026 regulations underscore the significant strategic shifts already underway, with teams balancing immediate performance with long-term development. The outcome of the F1 Commission's debate on tire strategies could also fundamentally alter race dynamics in the coming years.