Is there F1 sprint qualifying in Brazil this weekend?

Formula One heads to Brazil this weekend for the first Sao Paulo Grand Prix, but is there going to be F1 sprint qualifying to set the grid at Interlagos?

When F1 sprint was first announced, series chiefs hoped for three races to trial the new format at.

Great Britain and Italy were selected as the first two, with Brazil originally penciled in as the third venue.

Results have been mixed after an interesting debut for the format at Silverstone, before Monza delivered a dull sprint.

Max Verstappen won the inaugural event at Silverstone, with Valtteri Bottas taking honours at Monza.

However, Bottas lost his pole position at Monza thanks to an engine penalty that sent him to the back.

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Will there be F1 sprint in Brazil?

F1’s return to Brazil will include sprint qualifying on Saturday afternoon to set the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.

The Interlagos circuit is not as hard to overtake on as some circuits, thanks to its long climb up the pit-straight, which can help tow the cars around the lap.

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As is normal with the new format, traditional knockout qualifying will take place on Friday, with the sprint taking its slot.

The third and final practice session is abolished to make way for F1 sprint qualifying in Brazil.

Sprint races traditionally last around one-third distance of a total grand prix length.

The winner of the F1 sprint will receive three championship points, second place two, and P3 a single point.

Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton by 19 points in the standings with 107 left on the table in the remaining races.

The grand prix in Brazil is 71 laps long.

This means F1 sprint in Brazil will be 24 laps around the 2.6-mile circuit.

When is F1 sprint this weekend?

Sao Paulo runs on Brasilia time (BRT) throughout the year.

It is three hours behind GMT that the United Kingdom is currently on.

To get the session start times in BRT, subtract three hours from the times listed below.

All times GMT.

• First practice – Friday, 12th November – 15:30pm-16:30pm
• Qualifying – Friday, 12th November – 19:00pm – 20:00pm

• Second practice – Saturday, 13th November – 15:00pm-16:00pm
• F1 Sprint Qualifying – Saturday, 13th November – 19:30pm – 24 laps

• Race – Sunday, 14th November – 17:00pm – 71 laps

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Jake Nichol

Jake can usually be found writing about or watching anything to do with motorsport – from Formula 1 to NASCAR to British Truck Racing. His work as a motorsport journalist has been published by the likes of Autosport, Motorsport.com and Motorsport News – all highly respected names. Away from racing he is a keen amateur astronomer, podcast listener and enjoys long walks in the park with his three dogs.