6 moments you may have missed at the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix once again proved itself as a standout race on Formula 1’s globe-trotting calendar. The carnival energy synonymous with Brazil was present again in Interlagos, and with a chaotic Drivers’ Parade, some poignant tributes and an F1 legend’s return, Sao Paulo delivered a blockbuster of a Sprint weekend.

There was plenty of on-track drama, as Lando Norris stormed to victory, Kimi Antonelli claimed his best F1 finish in second, and Max Verstappen pulled off a remarkable recovery from the pit lane to third. But those weren’t the only stories from the Grand Prix weekend – so here are some magic moments you should know about.

Driver Parade antics

The Miami Grand Prix set social media alight with its LEGO F1 cars, and Sao Paulo kept the pre-race entertainment bar high with a hilarious drivers’ parade. The grid clearly loved the idea of driving in the beautifully branded ‘kit’ cars, so much so that Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz raced each other to the driver’s seat!

Ever the competitors, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc did battle at slower speeds than normal, while the Haas duo gave the Racing Bulls a cheeky rear-end tap. Norris captured the chaos by streaming the lap live on Twitch, laughing profusely as the Aston Martin boys’ car broke down next to him. George Russell suffered a similar fate, but luckily Yuki Tsunoda gave him a lift as the Brit had a blast with Verstappen around the bends of Interlagos.

Seb’s mission

When Sebastian Vettel turns up at a Grand Prix, it’s never just to reminisce – it’s to make a difference. The F1 legend returned to the site of his famous 2012 Drivers’ Championship victory to raise awareness for his new initiative, F①REST – drawn together, bringing both heart and purpose to the weekend.

Vettel was left inspired after a visit to the breathtaking rainforest a year ago. So, this year, the four-time World Champion invited the entire Formula 1 grid, and fans worldwide, to join the creative project. Each driver drew their own tree as a symbol of unity and support for the Amazon. From Lewis Hamilton’s intricate collage to Verstappen’s classic sketch, each drawing captured individuality within a shared cause.

The sketches were displayed in the paddock under the bannerTogether for the Amazon creating a colourful mix of personality and purpose. With his trademark smile, Vettel reminded everyone that even in the fastest sport on earth, there’s always time to stand up for something bigger.

Rookies pay homage to Brazilian legends

Before the racing began, Kimi Antonelli took a quiet moment away from the paddock to honour one of Formula 1’s greatest icons. The 19-year-old visited the grave of Ayrton Senna at Morumbi Cemetery in Sao Paulo, the city where the three-time World Champion was born and raised.

Senna produced one of the great drives when he took his stricken McLaren to victory in 1991 in front of his adoring home fans – and the emotion of that win is still palpable at Interlagos today. It was a beautiful touch from the rookie to pay his respects to the driver whose legacy continues to shape the sport three decades on. And after claiming P2 in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, the Italian will certainly have fond memories of this week!

Few figures capture the heart of Brazilian motorsport like Rubens Barrichello, and his presence during his hometown race weekend always carries a special weight. Ahead of the weekend, Franco Colapinto was invited to the Brazilian legend’s home for a barbecue. During the visit, the Argentine climbed into Barrichello’s Jordan 194, the car Rubens claimed his maiden podium in during the 1994 season – a memorable moment for the rookie.

Undercover Colapinto

Later in the weekend, Colapinto took inspiration from Russell’s antics in Mexico City, going undercover for another pre-race prank. Slipping into disguise, he appeared in the paddock wearing a wig, hat, oversized sunglasses, and a bright orange moustache, posing as Esteban Ocon’s personal security guard.

He marched through the Interlagos crowds with total commitment and a perfectly serious expression, not revealing his true identity until he made it to the fan stage, and in doing so, sending the crowd into laughter and applause. It looks like paddock pranks are here to stay!

Helmet art

No other stop on the calendar inspires helmet creativity quite like Brazil. The energy of Sao Paulo spills into every design, and this year’s grid produced a moving gallery of colour and meaning.

Hamilton led the way with a vibrant yellow-and-green design celebrating his honorary Brazilian citizenship. “Racing with this flag on my helmet means the absolute world to me,” he shared – a heartfelt tribute to a country that’s embraced him as one of its own.

Elsewhere, Sao Paulo native Gabriel Bortoleto, wore the Brazilian colours of green and gold inspired by his childhood dreams of racing at Interlagos, and Verstappen showcased a gold helmet with his classic lion motif, signifying Dutch strength and his previous triumph at the circuit in 2024.

Pierre Gasly, went full carnival with his tropical, multicoloured design, while fellow Frenchman Ocon’s red helmet captured the warmth of a Brazilian sunset, and paid subtle tribute to Senna.

Celebs at Sao Paulo

Music met motorsport in Sao Paulo as Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park stole the spotlight, waving the chequered flag to close out the race in rock-star style!

The band’s weekend in Brazil drew plenty of attention, with members of Linkin Park and White Wedding singer Billy Idol spotted together in the paddock. The rock group kept the energy going with a post-race concert, giving fans the perfect reason to stay and keep the carnival atmosphere alive.

The grid and paddock were packed with familiar faces from sport and entertainment, including UFC champion Alex Pereira, skateboarding star Rayssa Leal, and surfing legend Gabriel Medina. Footballer Alexandre Pato made a stylish appearance in the Alpine garage, influencer Bruna Biancardi was spotted trackside, and TV host Maisa also stopped by the Ferrari garage during the weekend.