Pirelli goes one step softer for Interlagos with C3, C4 and C5 at the São Paulo Grand Prix
New asphalt between Turns 3 and 5 and Turns 8 and 9 could change grip and wear, two stops won last year, and rain is a real chance in November
Pirelli brings the C3, C4 and C5 compounds to Interlagos for the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, one step softer than last year. The C3 is the Hard, the C4 the Medium and the C5 the Soft, Pirelli confirmed in its preview of the final round of the tour of the Americas.
Session times in local time, UK, CET and US Eastern: São Paulo Grand Prix 2026 start times.
New asphalt in two sections of the lap
Interlagos has changed since last season. Resurfacing work was carried out between Turns 3 and 5 and between Turns 8 and 9. According to Pirelli, these new sections could change grip levels and track evolution through the weekend, and affect how the tyres behave over longer runs. The three practice sessions are the teams’ chance to learn how the new surface influences degradation and wear.
Last year the São Paulo Grand Prix was a Sprint weekend and Pirelli brought the C2, C3 and C4. This year there is no Sprint at Interlagos, so teams get three practice sessions to understand the softer range.
Two stops won in 2025, only two drivers stopped once
Degradation was one of the main technical factors twelve months ago. Graining was less pronounced than expected, but the C2 used as the Hard tended to slide, while the C3 and C4 showed significant degradation, though they still allowed competitive stints.
The Medium and the Soft were the preferred compounds in the 2025 race. Most teams made two stops, helped by early pit stops during a neutralisation at the start. Only two drivers finished with a single stop, and the Hard was used for only a few short stints.
Interlagos itself is not extreme for tyres, according to Pirelli. Lateral forces are broadly average, the lap mixes high-speed corners with long straights and the loads are spread fairly evenly between front and rear. Managing degradation over a long stint usually decides the race.
Rain is never far away in November
Because of its place in the calendar, Interlagos often brings rain and big swings in temperature. Pirelli expects that the Intermediate and Full Wet tyres could come into play again this year.
Schumacher still the most successful driver at Interlagos
This is the 43rd Grand Prix at Interlagos. Thirty-seven editions from 1973 to 2019 ran as the Brazilian Grand Prix, and the race has been called the São Paulo Grand Prix since 2021. Michael Schumacher won four times at the circuit, while Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have three wins each. Ferrari and McLaren share the team record with nine wins each, Pirelli says.
Our hunch
A softer range on a partly new surface usually means one thing: more stops. If the fresh asphalt grips well, the C5 could be a real race tyre and a two-stop plan with Mediums and Softs looks the default again. If rain arrives on Sunday, all of that goes out of the window, as it so often does in São Paulo.
First practice today at 12:30 local, the race on Sunday at 14:00
First practice starts on Friday 6 November at 12:30 local time (15:30 UK, 16:30 CET, 10:30 ET). Qualifying is on Saturday at 15:00 local (18:00 UK, 19:00 CET, 13:00 ET) and the 71-lap race starts on Sunday 8 November at 14:00 local (17:00 UK, 18:00 CET, 12:00 ET). All results follow on our São Paulo Grand Prix 2026 results page. How the tyre battle went in Mexico: Mexico City GP tyre strategy.
Source: Pirelli, “Pirelli brings the softer trio back to Interlagos” (3 November 2026).
The weekend forecast for Interlagos: thunderstorms for qualifying, a chance of rain on race day.
Two stops or one at Interlagos on Sunday: what do you expect? Tell us in the comments.
The RNT Weekly newsletter
Race weekend times, results and our best stories in your inbox. Free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
