Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team walks the circuit with the team. © xpbimages.com How F1 qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix unfoldedAn as-it-happened account of what happened in F1 qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.After being absent from the 2020 season calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Formula 1 returns to racing in Brazil this weekend.A fan favourite, Interlagos hosts this weekend’s 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Max Verstappen looks to tighten his grip on this year’s title. The Dutchman dominated the race last time out from third on the grid in Mexico to extend his lead over Lewis Hamilton to 19 points.In recent years, Brazil has been a favourable track as like Mexico it is at altitude.Verstappen would have won in 2018 had it not been for a collision with Esteban Ocon, while in 2019, the Red Bull driver reigned supreme.Sprint qualifying makes its return for this weekend with five more points awarded on Saturday - 3, 2, 1.Recent Brazil F1 Winners: 2019: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2018: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)2017: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 2016: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2015: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)2014: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)2013: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)2012: Jenson Button (McLaren)2011: Mark Webber (Red Bull)2010: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)The remainder of the 2021 F1 calendar: Sao Paulo Grand Prix - November 14Qatar Grand Prix - November 21Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - December 5Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - December 12 Connor McDonagh12 Nov 2021 Pagination Subscribe to our F1 NewsletterGet the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inboxFor more information see our Privacy Policy Leave this field blank Latest News F1 News Oscar Piastri won’t change risk approach as he seeks bigger F1 lead 1h ago WSBK News Alvaro Bautista: Ducati “what I need to go fast” in WorldSBK 2026 1h ago WSBK News Nicolo Bulega warns Toprak Razgatlioglu at French WorldSBK: “We are strong too” 1h ago F1 News The warning Charles Leclerc gave Lewis Hamilton ahead of Ferrari milestone 1h ago F1 News Williams launch appeal over Carlos Sainz’s Dutch GP F1 penalty 2h agoMore News MotoGP News Has a “just under 2cm” change finally fixed Pecco Bagnaia’s 2025 MotoGP season? 2h ago F1 News Lando Norris won’t rely on “luck” to overturn F1 title deficit to Oscar Piastri 2h ago MotoGP News Marc Marquez: “Maybe it's time to stop these victories in a row” 2h ago WSBK News Toprak Razgatlioglu reveals Jonathan Rea WorldSBK help he will “never forget” 2h ago F1 News Max Verstappen rejects F1 format shake-up idea: ‘Sprint races are crazy enough’ 2h ago