What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix and Sprint?

Formula 1 moves on to Interlagos this weekend for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, and tyre suppliers Pirelli have confirmed the various compounds in use at the race meeting – which will also include the final Sprint event of the year.

Pirelli has chosen the three compounds in the middle of their range – the white-marked C2 hard, the yellow-marked C3 medium and the red-marked C4 soft – to tackle the 4.309km venue.

It matches the selection for Saudi Arabia, Imola, Miami, France, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, the United States and Mexico earlier this season.

However, under F1 Sprint regulations, drivers will get 12 sets of tyres instead of the usual 13 (2x hard, 4x medium, and 6x soft), along with six sets of green intermediates and three sets of blue full wets.

The Sprint format means first practice and qualifying will take place on Friday, followed by FP2, the 100km dash on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola said: “Formula 1 heads to Interlagos, the shortest lap of the year after Monaco and Mexico. It’s a historic track run anti-clockwise, alternating quick sections and medium-speed sequences of corners, such as the famous ‘Senna esses’.

“There aren’t any big demands on the tyres in terms of traction and braking because it’s a very flowing layout, and the lack of slow corners means that the teams can control the degradation on the rear tyres.

“Brazil will host the Sprint also this year, the last of the season, and it will be particularly interesting with this car package to see what will happen on the track and, once again, the key role of the different strategies that can be used.”

He added: “In 2021, the grid on Saturday was equally split between drivers starting on the medium and the soft tyres. Despite the short length of the track, there’s normally plenty of overtaking. Just think of Lewis Hamilton, the protagonist of a comeback that brought him to victory from 10th place, using a two-stop strategy. So the new generation of cars and tyres seems set to provide us with another thrilling race this year.”

What’s the weather forecast for the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix and Sprint?

While Max Verstappen and Red Bull have sealed both titles this year, the battle for second in both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships is yet to be decided. Mercedes are now 40 points behind second-placed Ferrari, while Charles Leclerc is looking to overhaul his five-point deficit to Sergio Perez in the drivers’ standings.

Last year’s Grand Prix weekend was a thriller, as Lewis Hamilton recovered from starting 10th on the grid to make his way through the field, overtaking Verstappen late to seal his third win in Brazil.

Rain is often a factor in Brazil, and the weather forecast suggests that it could be again, with wet weather expected on all three days of action, with a chance of thunderstorms during Saturday’s Sprint.

2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend weather forecast

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 – FP1 AND QUALIFYING WEATHER

Conditions: A cloudy start to the day with showers expected to hit the track in the afternoon. FP1: 26°C. Q: 24°C

Minimum temperature expected: 18 Celsius

Maximum temperature expected: 27 Celsius

Chance of rain: 40%

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 – FP2 AND SPRINT WEATHER Conditions: Cloudy all day with a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. FP2: 25°C SPRINT: 23°C

Minimum temperature expected: 18 Celsius

Maximum temperature expected: 26 Celsius

Chance of rain: 60%

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 – RACE WEATHER Conditions: Another cloudy day is expected, with showers and wind expected in the afternoon and evening. RACE: 25°C

Minimum temperature expected: 18 Celsius

Maximum temperature expected: 27 Celsius

Chance of rain: 60%

What time is the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix and Sprint?

Max Verstappen arrives looking to extend his record of 14 victories in a season, but the Red Bull team have been pushed hard by Mercedes at the last two races, while Ferrari will be eager to bounce back from a lacklustre showing in Mexico.

Brazil also hosted a Sprint last year, when Lewis Hamilton – amid his fierce title battle with Verstappen – sensationally recovered from the back of the grid to victory across the 100km dash and main Grand Prix.

The 2022 event will begin with FP1 and qualifying on Friday, ahead of FP2 and the Sprint on Saturday and, finally, the Grand Prix on Sunday, which will be run across 71 laps of the 4.309km venue.

Check out what time the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix starts where you are in the infographic below.