Interlagos Weather Outlook: Cooler, Drier Race Day for F1 Brazilian Grand Prix

After a storm-soaked Saturday, the weather for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos is expected to significantly improve, promising a cooler, drier race day with a low chance of rain.

Why it matters:

The dramatic shift from Saturday's heavy rain and high humidity to Sunday's clearer, cooler conditions could fundamentally alter race strategy and car performance. Teams will need to quickly adapt to the new environment, particularly concerning tire management and aerodynamic setups, as they aim for optimal performance in the season's penultimate race.

The details:

• Saturday's Washout: São Paulo experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with humid air pushing temperatures to around 28 °C, making for a challenging qualifying session.
• Overnight Improvement: Most showers drifted north by Saturday evening, allowing the circuit to begin drying. A shift in winds to the southeast brought in a cooler, less humid airmass from the Atlantic.
• Race Day Forecast: Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny with scattered cumulus clouds. The chance of rain during the Grand Prix is low, though brief, isolated sprinkles cannot be entirely ruled out due to São Paulo's famously changeable microclimate.
• Temperature Drop: Temperatures will peak around 21 °C, noticeably cooler than Saturday and several degrees below the seasonal average of 26 °C.
• Wind Impact: Southeast winds, gusting up to 25–30 km/h, may influence car handling, especially in exposed sections like the run-up to Turn 1 and the back straight.
• Tire Dynamics: Lower humidity and reduced track temperatures could affect tire behavior. Teams might find more stable grip levels compared to Saturday but may struggle to bring tires into their optimal working range during the opening laps.

What's next:

Teams will be focused on fine-tuning their setups to account for the cooler, drier conditions. Tire strategy will be crucial, with teams needing to balance initial warm-up with potential longer stints. Barring any unexpected changes from the famously volatile Brazilian skies, fans can anticipate a clean, fast race on Sunday afternoon, a welcome contrast to the chaotic build-up.