Sao Paulo GP 2026 in Malaysia time: 1am Monday race as Verstappen and Hamilton fight for second
With Antonelli crowned, F1 heads to Interlagos on 6-8 November. Race starts 1am Monday in Malaysia, with second place and the constructors' title still open.
With Kimi Antonelli confirmed as 2026 world champion in Mexico City, Formula 1 moves straight on to Interlagos for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on 6-8 November, the final leg of the triple-header. For fans in Malaysia it is another late night: the 71-lap race starts at 01:00 on Monday, 9 November. The drivers' crown is settled, but second place, the constructors' title and several midfield battles are still open.
Sao Paulo GP schedule in Malaysia time
Brazil is 11 hours behind Malaysia. Converted from the local Interlagos times:
- Practice 1: Friday 6 Nov, 23:30-00:30 MYT
- Practice 2: Saturday 7 Nov, 03:00-04:00 MYT
- Practice 3: Saturday 7 Nov, 22:30-23:30 MYT
- Qualifying: Sunday 8 Nov, 02:00-03:00 MYT
- Race: Monday 9 Nov, 01:00 MYT (14:00 local)
There is no sprint at Interlagos in 2026, so it is a standard weekend with three practice sessions. Organisers can adjust session times, so check again during race week. In Malaysia, F1 is broadcast by beIN Sports, which renewed its rights in early 2026, and the F1 TV Premium streaming service is also available.
Battle for second place
Verstappen's win in Mexico lifted him to 261 points, just two ahead of Hamilton on 259. George Russell is fourth on 250 (11 behind Verstappen), and Charles Leclerc fifth on 245 (16 behind). With 100 points left over four races, any of the four can still finish as runner-up. Lando Norris is sixth on 221.
Mercedes can seal the constructors' title
Mercedes lead Ferrari 630 to 504 in the teams' standings. That 126-point gap is smaller than the 172 points still available, so the title is not yet settled. After Brazil, 129 points will remain from the last three rounds, which means Mercedes will be confirmed as champions in Sao Paulo if they outscore Ferrari by at least four points over the weekend.
In the midfield, Racing Bulls lead Alpine by 39 points in the fight for fifth after the Mexico penalties, which cost Alpine all their points from the race.
Driver storylines to watch
Haas must decide whether Ryo Hirakawa, who scored a point on his surprise debut in Mexico, stays in the car or Esteban Ocon returns. Oscar Piastri and the Alpine drivers arrive after post-race penalties, while Cadillac will want answers after Valtteri Bottas's suspected suspension failure caused the Mexico red flag.
The rest of the season
After Brazil, the calendar continues with Las Vegas (22 November), Qatar (29 November) and the Abu Dhabi finale (6 December). Antonelli now races as champion, with the team title and the minor placings still to be decided.
Key takeaways
- The Sao Paulo GP race starts at 01:00 on Monday 9 November, Malaysia time.
- Verstappen (261) leads Hamilton (259) by two points in the fight for second.
- Mercedes can clinch the constructors' title by outscoring Ferrari by four or more points in Brazil.
- Four rounds remain: Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
FAQ
What time is the 2026 Sao Paulo GP in Malaysia? The race starts at 01:00 on Monday, 9 November (MYT). Qualifying is at 02:00 on Sunday, 8 November.
Is there a sprint race in Brazil in 2026? No. Interlagos runs a standard format this year with three practice sessions, qualifying and the grand prix.
Where can I watch F1 in Malaysia? beIN Sports holds the F1 broadcast rights in Malaysia, and F1 TV Premium is also available to subscribers.
Sources: Formula1.com, The Rio Times, RaceFans, RacingNews365, Speedcafe, beIN Sports