Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2025, F1 LIVE Updates: Verstappen Manages Softs As Russell Battles Brakes

Max Verstappen’s engineer is keeping him in check, those soft tyres are delicate, and every lap counts if he wants to stay in the lead. Behind him, George Russell is juggling third place pressure and brake issues, sending messages back and forth with his pit wall. The tension is real, and the final laps promise fireworks.

Team radio buzzes through: Mercedes tells Kimi Antonelli, “Sixteen laps to go, just give us the best stint to the end.” The pressure’s on, and every corner counts now as the race heads into its final act.

Lando Norris heads into the pits after lap times started dropping off. He’s back out third, behind race leader Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, who probably still has a stop to serve. The big question now, can Max maintain that blistering pace at the front, or will the McLaren duo close in? The tension’s building.

Liam Lawson climbs into sixth, giving Racing Bulls a big lift as Aston Martin catches up in the constructors’ battle at 72 points. Lance Stroll is hanging onto the last points spot for now, but with plenty of laps left, nothing’s locked in yet, this midfield scrap is sizzling.

Oscar Piastri finally dives into the pits to serve that 10-second penalty. He’s back out in eighth, now on soft tyres, could this one-stop gamble pay off? Meanwhile, heartbreak for Lewis Hamilton as he retires from the race. That Mercedes clearly wasn’t happy, and it looks like the floor damage and struggles caught up with the seven-time champ.

Lewis Hamilton admits he’s powerless from P13, sliding around on mediums at the back, struggling for grip. Up front, Lando Norris is in cruise control, five seconds ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, with George Russell’s Mercedes trailing 11 seconds back in third. The race is shaping into a strategic battle while Hamilton fights to climb the order.

Uh-oh! Oscar Piastri’s race just got complicated, the stewards have slapped him with a 10-second time penalty for that earlier clash with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc. Tough break for the McLaren man after such a fiery start. That’ll sting, and it’s bound to shake up the midfield battle.

Mission accomplished for Max Verstappen, the Dutchman powers past Lewis Hamilton to grab 15th, slicing through with trademark precision. Further up, young Oliver Bearman’s showing no fear either, muscling past Liam Lawson to snatch sixth. The rookies are charging, the veterans are scrapping, São Paulo’s already buzzing.

Lewis Hamilton’s not sounding happy on the radio, he’s reporting major downforce loss after that early floor damage, and the Mercedes looks a bit twitchy through the corners.

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda’s had a scrappy start too; he dived into the pits early for a tactical change, swapping onto mediums. The Red Bull man’s hoping the fresh rubber gives him a reset after a messy opening few laps.

We’re racing in São Paulo! Lando Norris explodes off the line, absolutely nailing the launch and storming into the lead before anyone can blink. The McLaren looks glued to the track, calm, controlled, clinical. What a start from the championship leader. The crowd’s roaring, the tyres are screaming, and it’s full throttle down to Turn 1.

Engines roar to life as we roll into formation, the tension’s thick already! Let’s talk tyres, because strategy starts right here. Lando Norris leads the pack on mediums, with Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri matching him on that yellow rubber. Young Kimi Antonelli’s gone bold on the softs, grip now, gamble later.

Down in the pit lane, Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon are taking the long game, both starting on hards, ready to stretch that first stint. The grid’s set, the lights are next, buckle up, it’s almost go time in Sao Paulo.

Standings

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) -- 365 points

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) -- 356

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) -- 326

4. George Russell (Mercedes) -- 264

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) -- 214

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) -- 148

Fans in India can watch the Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2025 (Brazilian GP) on the FanCode app and website.

Ola! We are back with another live blog, and it’s the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2025 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace Circuit. Stay tuned for all the live updates.