Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Brazil's Supreme Court orders São Paulo to disclose F1 contracts
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered São Paulo to publish its F1 race contracts and related administrative records for races at Interlagos.
The case began in 2021, when resident Igor Rabelo Melo requested access to the documents.
The city had argued the contracts were confidential, saying disclosure could put the deal at risk and cancel the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The court rejected that argument, ruling that commercial interests cannot override the public's right to transparency in government agreements.
The ruling is final and cannot be appealed, after the court's first panel upheld it unanimously.
The city says it will comply once formally notified, and it has 90 days to disclose the contract, according to UOL.
Publication could reveal the costs and financial obligations tied to the race, whose hosting agreement was extended through 2035.
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court ordered São Paulo city to disclose the full contracts and administrative records related to Formula One races at Interlagos.
The ruling became final on October 14, 2026, and can no longer be appealed.
The city had argued that confidentiality was required by the race organizer and that disclosure could lead to the contract’s termination and cancellation of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Justice Flávio Dino said commercial interests do not override the transparency obligations attached to public contracts.
The case began in 2021 after citizen Igor Rabelo Melo requested access to the records.
- Who
- São Paulo city must disclose the documents. The Supreme Federal Court issued the order.
- What
- The court ordered disclosure of the full contracts and administrative records related to Formula One races at Interlagos.
- When
- The case began in 2021. The ruling became final on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Interlagos, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Why
- Citizen Igor Rabelo Melo requested access to the documents. The court said public contracts are subject to transparency obligations.
São Paulo city government
Supreme Federal Court
Contract confidentiality
São Paulo city government
The city argued that confidentiality was required by Formula One’s associated company, FOWC, and that disclosure could risk the contract and the Grand Prix.
Supreme Federal Court
The court said public contracts are subject to transparency obligations and commercial interests do not justify concealing the agreements in full.
Separation of powers
São Paulo city government
The city argued that the disclosure order would intrude on executive powers and violate the separation of powers.
Supreme Federal Court
Justice Flávio Dino said the administration cannot accept contractual conditions that conflict with constitutional duties.
The case began after Igor Rabelo Melo requested access to documents about the São Paulo race.
The Supreme Court’s First Panel unanimously upheld the disclosure order, concluding its judgment.
The decision became final without further appeal, and the case was returned to the São Paulo Court of Justice.
The city authorized a five-year extension of its contract with MC Brazil Motorsport Holdings Ltda., covering the 2031 to 2035 race editions.
- Court
- Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court
- Location
- Interlagos, São Paulo
- Request filed
- 2021
- Final ruling
- October 14, 2026
- Contract extension
- 2031–2035
- Organizer named in extension
- MC Brazil Motorsport Holdings Ltda.
What people are saying
The Administration cannot, through a contractual arrangement, set aside duties imposed directly by the Constitution
The private party’s economic or commercial interest does not override the republican principle
Transparency in public administration is an obligation imposed on all public officials, because they act on behalf of citizens and must safeguard public property with greater care than they would in managing their own private interests.
When formally notified of the decision, the municipality will take the appropriate steps to ensure compliance