From Neymar and Memphis Depay to Luísa Sonza, Maisa Silva and a new generation of Brazilian digital stars, Interlagos is preparing for a Grand Prix where the celebrity action promises to be almost as captivating as the racing.
The São Paulo Grand Prix has become a meeting place for international sporting heroes, Brazilian entertainment royalty, music stars and some of the country’s most influential personalities. The 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix was a perfect example, welcoming an impressive celebrity crowd that included Bruna Marquezine, Gabriel Medina, Sergio Agüero, rock legend Billy Idol and members of Linkin Park with the band’s Mike Shinoda waving the chequered flag to wrap up the race.
Now, for the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, the guest list promises another spectacular mix, with some of Brazil’s biggest household names joining international sporting personalities and an increasingly powerful generation of social-media stars.
From a football icon with more than 240 million Instagram followers to international sporting personalities, models, chart-topping musicians and digital entertainers commanding audiences of tens of millions, this year’s paddock promises a fascinating blend of sporting prestige and celebrity glamour.
Football royalty takes centre stage at F1 Sao Paulo GP
If there is one name capable of attracting attention wherever he goes, it is Neymar Jr. The Brazilian superstar remains one of the world’s most recognisable footballers and the biggest social-media personality on this year’s guest list. With 241.2 million Instagram followers and another 47.6 million on TikTok, his combined following exceeds 288 million. Having made his name at Santos before conquering European football with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has enjoyed Champions League glory, Olympic gold and a remarkable international career with Brazil. His return to boyhood club Santos in 2025 added another chapter to a story that has captivated football fans for years. His appearance as a guest of ORBR (Oracle Red Bull Racing), is undoubtedly one of the weekend’s headline attractions.
He will not be the only football superstar bringing some serious sporting star power to the paddock. Memphis Depay, the Dutch international and Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer, arrives as an ORBR guest. Having played for Manchester United, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid before joining Corinthians, Memphis combines an impressive football CV with a strong interest in music, fashion and creative projects. His 19.7 million Instagram followers make him another internationally recognisable face.
Brazilian football legend Thiago Silva will be among the guests of Audi. Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation, he enjoyed outstanding spells with AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, winning the Champions League with the London club and seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG. More than 100 appearances for Brazil underline his international pedigree.
His fellow Audi guest Lucas Moura is particularly remembered for one of the most dramatic nights in Champions League history. His extraordinary hat-trick against Ajax in 2019 sent Tottenham into the final and made him a household name among European football supporters. Returning to São Paulo in 2023, he has continued his career with his boyhood club.
Then there is Cafu, one of Brazil’s greatest footballing icons. The former right-back captained his country to World Cup glory in 2002, having already lifted the trophy in 1994. Few players can claim two World Cup winners’ medals, making him a particularly prestigious addition to the Audi guest list. Also joining Audi is Dani Luiz, the Brazilian defender whose career has included spells with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus.
The football contingent continues with Andreas Pereira, a Brazilian international who developed at Manchester United before gaining experience across several European leagues and joining Palmeiras. He is a guest of Haas.
Rodrygo Goes, guest of VCARB/F1, is one of Real Madrid’s key attacking talents. The Brazilian forward has already made his mark on major Champions League nights and is part of Brazil’s new generation.
Oscar, an Audi guest, is a former Brazil international midfielder who enjoyed successful spells with Chelsea and Shanghai Port before returning to São Paulo.
Jhon Arias, a Mercedes guest, is a Colombian international winger best known for helping Fluminense win the 2023 Copa Libertadores. He has also played in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Igor Lichnovsky, another Mercedes guest, is a Chilean international centre-back whose career has taken him across Europe, the Middle East and Mexico.
Alpine, meanwhile, welcomes an impressive collection of South American football talent. Flaco López, Joaco Piquerez, Agustín Giay, Alexander Barboza and Ramón Sosa will bring a distinctly football-focused flavour to the team’s hospitality. Representing Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay as well as Brazil’s club football scene, they reflect the international character of South American football.
Former Football Player and local hero Alexandre Pato presented Lando Norris with the Pole Position award by PIRELLI.
Finally, William Goodge, a British ultra-endurance athlete and ORBR guest, brings a rather different story. Known for extreme multi-day running challenges and fundraising projects supporting cancer charities, he has attracted an international audience through his extraordinary physical challenges.
Music stars bring the soundtrack
Brazilian music will have a particularly strong presence at Interlagos. Leading the way is Luísa Sonza, one of the country’s most successful contemporary pop artists and a guest of Audi. Initially gaining recognition through YouTube covers, she has developed into a major recording star with a sound blending pop and Brazilian funk. Her albums Doce 22 and Escândalo Íntimo helped establish her as one of the defining voices of a new generation of Brazilian pop. With 29.1 million Instagram followers and 17.8 million on TikTok, she also brings considerable digital influence.
Luan Santana, meanwhile, will be guest of F1. One of Brazil’s most successful sertanejo singers, he first captured national attention with Meteoro and went on to become a major live performer. Songs such as Te Esperando and Escreve Aí have helped him build an enormous following, with 36.9 million Instagram followers and 5.8 million on TikTok. His presence adds a distinctly Brazilian musical touch to Friday’s paddock atmosphere.
Another important name is Sorocaba, one half of the popular sertanejo duo Fernando & Sorocaba. A singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, he has enjoyed success both as a performer and as a composer for other major Brazilian artists. He will be an Alpine guest.
Ana Castela, an Audi guest, is one of Brazil’s leading sertanejo stars. Known as the “Boiadeira”, she rose to fame with Pipoco and won a Latin Grammy for Boiadeira Internacional.
The younger generation is represented by L7NNON, one of Brazil’s most prominent contemporary rappers. Known for hits including Freio da Blazer, Perdição, Ai, Preto and Desenrola, Bate, Joga de Ladin, he has become an important figure in Brazilian hip-hop and also founded his own record label, Hip Hop Rare. He joins the ORBR guest list.
Completing the musical contingent are Kaique & Felipe, the São Paulo-born sertanejo brothers who initially made their mark writing songs for established artists before stepping into the spotlight themselves. Their collaboration Saveiro with Luan Pereira helped raise their profile as performers.
Actors, models and television personalities: the glamour contingent
There is always room for a little Hollywood-style glamour in the Formula 1 paddock, and this year’s guest list offers plenty of it.
André Lamoglia, an Audi guest, is arguably one of the most internationally recognisable Brazilian acting names on the list. Best known for playing Iván in Netflix’s global hit Elite, he has developed a growing international profile through streaming productions and television roles. His career began with Disney Channel productions before moving into more mature international projects. With three million Instagram followers, he represents a new generation of Brazilian actors whose audiences extend well beyond their home market. 2025 he presented Lando Norris with the PIRELLI Pole Position award.
Giovanna Grigio, familiar from Chiquititas and Malhação: Viva a Diferença, has since crossed into international streaming with Netflix’s Rebelde. Joining her are fellow Brazilian actresses Giovanna Chaves, who moved from child stardom in Cúmplices de um Resgate into music and film, and GKay, whose success in social-media comedy has expanded into television, film and the creation of the celebrity event Farofa da GKay.
Television presenter Ana Clara, who rose to fame on Big Brother Brasil 18, will also be part of the weekend, continuing her successful career with TV Globo. Meanwhile, Gabriel Leone brings an international dimension following his acclaimed portrayal of Ayrton Senna in Netflix’s Senna, alongside film appearances in Ferrari and The Secret Agent.
Louis Vuitton’s guests add further acting credentials. Valentina Herszage, known for Mate-Me Por Favor, Raquel 1:1 and I’m Still Here, joins fellow actors Henrique Barreira, whose credits include Netflix’s Os Donos do Jogo, and Pedro Novaes. The latter also has a musical side, playing drums with pop-rock band Fuze alongside his television and modelling career.
Pedro Novaes, guest of Louis Vuitton, is an actor, model and drummer with the pop-rock band Fuze. His television credits include Malhação: Toda Forma de Amar and Garota do Momento.
Marley, the popular Argentine television presenter and comedian, will be an Alpine guest. A familiar face to millions of Argentine viewers, he is best known for entertainment, reality and travel programmes such as Por el mundo and Operación Triunfo. His 8.2 million Instagram followers and 2.3 million TikTok followers make him one of the region’s most recognisable television personalities.
His fellow Alpine guest Nicolás Occhiato represents the rapidly changing world of Latin American entertainment. A presenter, producer and entrepreneur, he founded Luzu TV, an influential Argentine streaming and entertainment platform. His journey from television contestant to media entrepreneur makes him an interesting figure in the region’s evolving entertainment industry.
Pollo Álvarez, another Alpine guest, is an Argentine television presenter whose career spans entertainment and sports programming. With 2.5 million Instagram followers and 907,000 TikTok followers, he is another recognisable face for audiences across the region.
Isabella Bernardini, namorada de Gabriel Bortoleto, já chegou no paddock 🇧🇷 https://t.co/YarFwPXFFk
— Blog Fórmula 1 (@blog_formula1) November 8, 2026
Fashion, skateboarding and sporting personalities
Fashion and sport have always shared a natural relationship at Formula 1, and the 2026 guest list brings together several personalities who move comfortably between both worlds.
Leticia Bufoni, an ORBR guest, is one of the most successful female skateboarders in the sport’s history. A six-time X Games gold medallist and Olympic representative for Brazil, she has helped elevate women’s street skateboarding internationally. Her move into motorsport through Porsche Cup Brasil makes her appearance at Interlagos particularly fitting. She is a sporting personality who understands the attraction of speed, competition and adrenaline from a different perspective.
Felipe Foguinho, guest of Louis Vuitton, is a Brazilian skateboarder and digital personality whose skateboarding and social-media content have attracted a growing audience.
Charles do Bronx, a Mercedes guest, is a former UFC Lightweight Champion celebrated for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu and exceptional finishing record.
Paulo André, guest of Disney, is another impressive Brazilian athlete. A sprinter specialising in the 100 and 200 metres, he has represented Brazil at the highest level and boasts an official 100-metre personal best of 10.02 seconds. His athletics achievements, combined with his television exposure, have made him a recognisable figure beyond track and field.
Gustavo Scarpa, an Audi guest, is well known to Brazilian football supporters for his successful Palmeiras career, which included two Copa Libertadores titles and two Brazilian league championships. His experience also includes spells in England and Greece.
And for fans of endurance sport, British athlete William Goodge’s appearance offers a reminder that the pursuit of sporting excellence takes many forms, whether on a Grand Prix circuit or across thousands of kilometres on foot.
Center of attention for local photographers are Brazilian rising star Gabriel Bortoleto and his girlfriend Isabella Bernardini.
The content creators: Interlagos’s digital powerhouses
Formula 1 has long understood the value of celebrity influence, today’s paddock stars increasingly come with audiences that rival those of television networks. This year’s creator guest list is particularly impressive, with some truly extraordinary numbers.
At the top of the social-media rankings is Maisa Silva, guest of F1. With 49.1 million Instagram followers and 20.7 million on TikTok, her combined following reaches an impressive 69.8 million. Maisa has grown up in front of Brazilian audiences, beginning her career as a child entertainer before becoming a presenter, actress and household name through television hits such as Carrossel. Today, she is also involved in voice acting, entrepreneurship and digital media. Her evolution from child star to influential young businesswoman makes her one of the most interesting personalities on the guest list.
Vanessa Lopes, guest of Disney, is another major digital attraction. With 13.8 million Instagram followers and an impressive 32.7 million on TikTok, her combined following exceeds 46.5 million. Known for her dance videos, lifestyle content and energetic online personality, she became even more widely recognised through her appearance on Big Brother Brasil 24. Her TikTok following alone makes her one of the weekend’s most powerful digital voices.
Malu Borges, guest of TAG Heuer, is a fashion and lifestyle creator known for distinctive styling videos and experimental looks. She has collaborated with luxury fashion houses and was named to Forbes Brasil’s 30 Under 30.
João Vitor Santiago guest of TAG Heuer, is a Brazilian entrepreneur and influencer who shares lifestyle content and has built a profile across the country’s digital-media scene.
Luva de Pedreiro, a Mercedes guest, became a global sensation with amateur football videos and his signature “Receba!” celebration. The Brazilian creator is among the country’s best-known football-focused online personalities.
Cela Lopes, a Williams guest, is a comedian and presenter known for her viral “rich heiress” character. She has since expanded into television, brand partnerships and entrepreneurship.
Lily Rowland, an Aston Martin guest, is a British beauty and fashion creator whose makeup and lifestyle content has led to modelling work and collaborations with luxury brands including Dior and Armani Beauty.
Jade Picon, influencer, model and actress has 20.5 million Instagram and 11 million TikTok followers. Her rise to mainstream fame accelerated through Big Brother Brasil 22, followed by her acting debut in the telenovela Travessia. A regular presence in fashion and lifestyle conversations, she brings a combination of celebrity appeal and social-media influence to the Red Bull Racing (ORBR)hospitality.
Comedy also has a major representative in Júlio Cocielo. His CanalCanalha channel has made him one of Brazil’s most recognisable YouTube personalities. His comedy, football, gaming and entertainment videos have attracted a combined following of 29.2 million.
Fellow ORBR guest Mateus Machado, co-founder of POV Creators and a Forbes Top Creator in 2025, has 17 million followers across both platforms through humour and entertainment.
Brino adds over 20 million followers to the ORBR line-up with comedy, reaction and gaming videos.
Fashion takes centre stage with Silvia Braz, a Moët guest, BoF 500 member and leading luxury-fashion influencer who has collaborated with international brands and major fashion weeks. Jade Magalhães combines design, styling and image consultancy with a growing social-media following.
Gaming and motorsport bring Alexandre Gaules, an ORBR guest and leading Brazilian esports personality, known for his transition from professional Counter-Strike to streaming and commentary. Luca Morelli connects with motorsport fans through Formula 1 and automotive content, with over one million Instagram and TikTok followers.
The international dimension comes from Ginevra Mavilla, an Italian content creator and Sportitalia presenter covering football journalism and television. Chico Lachowski, an Audi guest and Brazilian international model, has worked with Dior, Gucci, Versace and Tommy Hilfiger. With over five million Instagram and TikTok followers, he brings significant fashion influence to Interlagos
Taking the supplied Instagram and TikTok figures together, the personalities on this year’s guest list account for approximately 884 million combined platform followers.
The teams and hospitality: who is welcoming the stars?
The distribution of guests across the teams and partners also tells an interesting story.
F1 welcomes Maisa Silva and Luan Santana, while Disney brings together influencer Vanessa Lopes, actress Giovanna Grigio and athlete Paulo André. Moët adds a touch of fashion glamour with Silvia Braz.
Red Bull has a particularly star-studded guest list, led by Neymar and Memphis Depay, alongside creators Júlio Cocielo, Jade Picon, Mateus Machado and Brino, rapper L7NNON, skateboarder Leticia Bufoni and esports star Alexandre Gaules.
Audi’s hospitality is equally impressive, mixing music, football, fashion and film with Luísa Sonza, Ana Castela, Oscar, Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, Cafu, Dani Luiz, Chico Lachowski, André Lamoglia, Ginevra Mavilla and Gustavo Scarpa.
Alpine brings a South American flavour with Argentine media personalities Marley, Nicolás Occhiato and Pollo Álvarez, alongside footballers Flaco López, Joaco Piquerez, Agustín Giay, Alexander Barboza and Ramón Sosa, plus singer Sorocaba and duo Kaique & Felipe. Haas adds footballer Andreas Pereira.
The wider partner line-up is just as colourful. Louis Vuitton welcomes actors Gabriel Leone, Valentina Herszage, Henrique Barreira and Pedro Novaes, alongside skateboarder Felipe Foguinho. TAG Heuer brings fashion creator Malu Borges and entrepreneur João Vitor Santiago, while VCARB adds Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes.
Mercedes has a sporting-heavy guest list featuring footballers Jhon Arias and Igor Lichnovsky, football creator Luva de Pedreiro and UFC star Charles do Bronx. Williams welcomes comedian and presenter Cela Lopes, while Aston Martin adds British fashion and beauty creator Lily Rowland.
The F1 Sao Paulo GP: A paddock with plenty of personality
What makes the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix guest list particularly interesting is its diversity. This is not simply a gathering of footballers and Brazilian celebrities. It is a meeting of different entertainment worlds, from global football and international pop music to luxury fashion, streaming, gaming and social-media culture.
There is the sheer international recognition of Neymar, the football pedigree of Cafu and Thiago Silva, the musical appeal of Luísa Sonza and Luan Santana, and the enormous online audiences of Maisa, Vanessa Lopes and Jade Picon. Add the fashion credentials of Silvia Braz and Chico Lachowski, the television personalities from Argentina and the sporting achievements of Leticia Bufoni and Paulo André, and the result is a guest list with appeal well beyond the traditional motorsport audience.
And perhaps that is exactly what makes the São Paulo Grand Prix so special.
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