FIA leaves Verstappen alone as Brazil weekend begins

The calm before the storm. Formula 1’s return to Interlagos begins quietly for Max Verstappen, who will skip the traditional Thursday FIA press conference ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. While most of the grid fields questions from the media, the Dutchman enjoys a rare breather, a sign that even the sport’s biggest star sometimes gets a weekend off from the microphones.

Quiet start to a busy weekend

After a two-week break, Formula 1 roars back to life in São Paulo. Interlagos hosts one of the most intense weekends of the season: a Sprint format with only a single practice session, followed by qualifying on Friday, the Sprint on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday. With rain in the forecast, the margin for error will be razor thin.

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While most drivers will spend Thursday facing endless interviews and sponsor duties, Verstappen can focus fully on preparation. The FIA confirmed that he won’t take part in either of the official press sessions, a rare decision for the reigning world champion. Instead, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly will form the first group in the media room, followed later by home hero Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), and Alexander Albon (Williams).

For Verstappen, it’s a chance to stay under the radar before the racing begins, a luxury not often afforded to the most scrutinized man in the paddock.

Familiar faces for the team bosses

Friday’s media schedule will see team principals step up to the microphones between the sole practice session and Sprint Qualifying. McLaren boss Andrea Stella, Racing Bulls’ Alan Permane, and Williams’ James Vowles will represent their teams. As usual, questions are expected about the 2026 regulations, driver market rumors, and the increasingly unpredictable championship fight.

How the rest of the weekend unfolds

Because it’s a Sprint weekend, the media format is slightly different from a normal Grand Prix. The top three finishers from Friday’s Sprint Qualifying will not be required to attend a press conference, but on Saturday two sessions are scheduled: one for the Sprint’s top three and another for the qualifying leaders for Sunday’s race. The podium finishers from the Grand Prix itself will, of course, close the weekend in the media room.

With that, Interlagos is set for another chaotic three days, rain, risk, and the possibility of more fireworks in the world title fight. Verstappen’s silence on Thursday might just be the calm before another explosive weekend.