Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint qualifying predictions and F1 betting tips

Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint qualifying at Interlagos, Brazil on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 7.30pm, Saturday

Best bet

Pierre Gasly to win sprint qualifying without the big four
1pt 6-5 Coral

Sprint preview

Championship protagonists Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen claimed the first two spots on the grid for this evening's Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint qualifying, however both start the day under investigation by the stewards.

Hamilton's pole position is under threat due to a potentially illegal DRS system on his Mercedes - an aerodynamic trick that gives the car a straightline speed boost under certain conditions.

However, championship leader Verstappen has also been summoned to the stewards at 12.30pm UK & Ireland time. The Red Bull driver was seen handling the rear wing of his own car, and then Hamilton's in parc ferme after the qualifying session.

All that means it's far from certain what order the cars will line up in for this evening's 24-lap sprint qualifying race. But handily, some bookmakers markets aren't affected by whatever might happen to Hamilton and Verstappen.

Coral offer 6-5 about Pierre Gasly winning the race without the big four - Hamilton and Verstappen plus their teammates Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

The first two sprint qualifying races, at Silverstone and Monza, weren't notable for much action beyond Verstappen taking the lead at the start in Britain, where Fernando Alonso also made a superb getaway.

Backing Gasly effectively looks a bet on the AlphaTauri driver to hold off the two Ferraris on the run to the first corner - which he achieved comfortably in the drag off the startline in Mexico last week.

Gasly was fifth fastest in the sole practice session, and confirmed that speed by filling the same slot in qualifying.

The Frenchman had a quiet race in Mexico, finishing a comfortable fourth, and looks to be in similar form in Brazil.

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