The 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, officially dubbed the Formula 1 Lenovo Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024, took place on November 3, 2024, at the historic Interlagos Circuit. This race marked the twenty-first round of the Formula One World Championship and brought together fans from around the globe, with an impressive attendance of 291,717.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren set the stage by securing pole position for the sprint event. However, in a dramatic turn of events during the closing laps, he relinquished the lead to his teammate, Lando Norris. Norris triumphed in the sprint, marking his first career win in this format. “Winning my first sprint race feels incredible,” said Norris. “The team has worked so hard, and it’s nice to finally get some reward.” Piastri completed the sprint in second place, followed by Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
Unfortunately for Max Verstappen, who finished third in the sprint, a later penalty for a virtual safety car infringement saw him drop to fourth place. “I think we had the pace to fight for the victory, but penalties are part of racing,” stated Verstappen.
The main race unfolded under challenging weather conditions, with rain adding a layer of difficulty. Verstappen, who had started in 17th place due to a grid penalty for exceeding his allocation of power unit components, showcased an impressive drive. Despite his low starting position, he maneuvered through the pack skillfully, ultimately winning the race. “This victory is one of the sweetest I've ever had,” Verstappen remarked. “Coming back from 17th in these conditions was a tough challenge, but it feels amazing to win again.” This significant win also represented Red Bull Racing's first since the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the season.
The podium was rounded out by Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly of Alpine, marking Team Enstone’s first double podium finish since the 2013 Korean Grand Prix. Ocon expressed his elation: “We still have a lot of work ahead, but today is about celebrating this achievement. It’s a special moment for the entire team.” Gasly added, “We pushed each other to the limit today, and it paid off.” This achievement was historic, as no driver had won from 17th place or lower since Kimi Räikkönen’s victory at the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix.
The day was filled with excitement as Lando Norris not only won the sprint but also secured pole position for the main race, outperforming rivals George Russell of Mercedes and Yuki Tsunoda of RB, who achieved a career-best qualifying position of third. Norris commented on the qualifying session disrupted by five red flags, stating, “It was a chaotic session, but we managed to pull it together for a strong start.”
The event at Interlagos is significant in F1 history, celebrating its 41st occurrence at the circuit. While it once bore the Brazilian Grand Prix title, it has now been branded the São Paulo Grand Prix for the fourth time, continuing the legacy of this celebrated motorsport venue.
As the season progresses towards its conclusion, the championship standings will undoubtedly be influenced by the outcomes of this exhilarating weekend in São Paulo. Fans eagerly await the subsequent races, where strategy, skill, and perhaps weather will continue to play pivotal roles.