Lando Norris started strong in the Formula 1 São Paulo GP by leading the only practice session. With this being a Sprint race weekend, it was the only practice session before qualifying.
From the outset, drivers aimed to find the limits of the Interlagos track. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) led the session after the first third – still on medium tires – with George Russell (Mercedes) in second.
Lewis Hamilton later positioned himself between them, but the fastest times emerged only toward the end of the session. Norris (McLaren/Mercedes) set the pace, completing a lap in 1m10.610s on soft tires.
Russell came closest, just 0.181s behind, followed by the surprising Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari) – who was called up last minute to replace the ill Kevin Magnussen. Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes) and Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes) rounded out the top five, ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen, who will receive a five-place grid penalty for the main race due to an engine change, finished only 15th – just ahead of Hamilton. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Pérez, fared worse, finishing 19th, only ahead of Guanyu Zhou (Kick Sauber/Ferrari).
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