After being disqualified from Friday qualifying due to an inconformity with his drag reduction system (DRS), Lewis Hamilton started twentieth for the sprint race, recovering to fifth.

After taking a further five-place grid penalty for the main race for exceeding the quota of internal combustion engines allocated to him, Hamilton caught up to, and ultimately passed, a leading Max Verstappen.

In November 2020, a deal was signed which would see Formula One continue to race at Interlagos until 2025, albeit under the title of São Paulo Grand Prix.

[4][5] The governing body, the FIA lifted the curfew on that limits overnight working after weather conditions meant the equipment arrived late to the venue.

The technical delegate's report stated that Hamilton's drag reduction system's opening slot was larger than the permitted 85 mm (3.3 in).

[15] Verstappen was referred to the stewards for an alleged violation of article 2.5.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code, after he appeared to have touched Hamilton's car during parc fermé.