News Summary
- Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have been linked with a controlling investment in Cadillac, with no agreement announced.
- Charles Leclerc and Alexandra have announced the birth of their daughter Bianca ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
- Lewis Hamilton approaches his 400th Grand Prix start, while six teams have confirmed FP1 substitutions for Friday.
Cadillac’s ownership prospects and the final preparations for Interlagos lead Wednesday’s Formula 1 coverage, with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group reportedly exploring an investment in the American team.
Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc announced a family milestone, Lewis Hamilton prepared for his 400th Grand Prix start and Haas explained the testing evidence behind its confidence in Rafael Câmara.
Here are the principal developments covered by GRANDE PRÊMIO on November 4, alongside the latest preparation and service information for the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Liverpool owners linked with Cadillac investment
Fenway Sports Group has held discussions about acquiring a majority stake in Cadillac’s F1 operation, according to reporting by The Guardian. The potential transaction could exceed £2 billion, although the structure and percentage involved have not been established publicly.
No agreement has been announced. FSG is reported to be among several interested investors, while TWG has maintained that a sale is not imminent. The discussions should therefore be distinguished from a completed takeover or any confirmed change to Cadillac’s manufacturer identity.
Leclerc announces birth of daughter Bianca
Leclerc and Alexandra have welcomed their first daughter, Bianca. Their announcement on Wednesday confirmed that she was born on November 3, days before the Ferrari driver’s scheduled appearance in Brazil.
Leclerc remains due to race at Interlagos. Dino Beganovic will drive his Ferrari during opening practice under the team’s rookie programme, with Leclerc expected back in FP2. That practice arrangement is separate from the birth announcement.
Hamilton approaches his 400th Grand Prix start
Hamilton is set to make his 400th F1 start at Interlagos, becoming only the second driver to reach the milestone after Fernando Alonso.
The venue adds historical significance: Hamilton secured his first championship there in 2008 and won the Grand Prix in 2016, 2018 and 2021. He arrives after finishing second in Mexico, where his pole position and Ferrari’s race pace created an opportunity that the team could not convert into victory.
Six regular drivers will miss opening practice
Six announced FP1 substitutions will change Friday’s line-up. Beganovic, Leonardo Fornaroli, Luke Browning, Gabriele Minì, Freddie Slater and Colton Herta will take over cars normally driven by Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez.
The assignments apply to opening practice rather than the race seats. Herta also has a super licence objective: eligible running at Interlagos could provide the final point needed to reach the FIA’s 40-point threshold.
Haas explains why it trusts Câmara
Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has explained what impressed him during Câmara’s private testing, highlighting his adaptation to changing grip, rate of improvement and composure.
Those observations underpin the team’s confidence ahead of his first Grand Prix weekend. Unlike the practice substitutes, Câmara is preparing to qualify and race alongside Oliver Bearman following Esteban Ocon’s departure from the 2026 line-up.
Cadillac acts after Bottas’s Mexico crash
In its preparations for Brazil, Cadillac confirmed that a suspension failure caused Valtteri Bottas’s heavy accident in Mexico. The team says it has introduced preventive measures following its investigation.
The announcement identifies the general failure but does not disclose the precise component involved or the technical changes made. Bottas was released without injury after precautionary examinations.
When does the São Paulo weekend begin?
Track action starts on Friday, November 6, with FP1 at 12:30 BRT / 15:30 GMT, followed by FP2 at 16:00 BRT / 19:00 GMT.
Saturday brings final practice and qualifying, with São Paulo GP qualifying scheduled for 18:00 GMT in the UK and 13:00 EST in New York and Toronto. Sunday’s Grand Prix begins at 14:00 local time.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
FAQ
Is there Formula 1 track action on Thursday?
No F1 practice session is scheduled for Thursday, November 5. The cars first run on Friday, when FP1 begins at 12:30 local time in São Paulo.
Is the São Paulo Grand Prix a sprint weekend in 2026?
No. The event follows the conventional format: two practice sessions on Friday, final practice and qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
What time is the São Paulo Grand Prix in the main international markets?
Sunday’s race starts at 5pm GMT in the UK, noon EST in New York and Toronto, and 10:30pm IST in India. In Sydney and Melbourne, it begins at 4am AEDT on Monday, November 9; in Auckland, at 6am NZDT.
Alternative headlines:
- F1 Today: Cadillac investment talks, Leclerc’s family news and Hamilton’s 400th start
- F1 Today: Six FP1 substitutions confirmed as São Paulo preparations gather pace
- F1 Today: Liverpool owners eye Cadillac as Haas explains confidence in Câmara
Tags: F1, São Paulo GP, Cadillac, Lewis Hamilton
Slug: f1-today-20261104-cadillac-leclerc-hamilton-sao-paulo
Meta description: F1 news for November 4: Liverpool owners linked with Cadillac, Leclerc welcomes daughter Bianca and Hamilton prepares for his 400th Grand Prix start.
