A continuation of the duel between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, a new track surface in Brazil, asphalt temperatures that are likely to be tough on the tires, a sprint format, and perhaps even a rain race on Sunday: the São Paulo Grand Prix promises much in advance. And especially because there is only one free practice in Brazil. In it, Norris sets the tone, for what it’s worth.
The drivers and teams have just an hour to get their cars accustomed to the new surface at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, still commonly referred to as Interlagos. It’s no wonder there’s immediate action on the track. Kevin Magnussen is absent: he’s ill. Oliver Beaman replaces him at Haas at least until the sprint race on Saturday afternoon.
Max Verstappen feels fresh and energetic, but he knows it will be tough to maintain or even extend his lead over rival and friend Lando Norris in Brazil. The margin is 47 points, but McLaren is expected to be faster than Red Bull this weekend, along with Ferrari. Yet Verstappen makes a good impression, quickly leading the pack in the session.
For the second part of the practice, the teams make quite a few adjustments to the cars’ setups. The first to venture onto the track on soft tires is Mercedes driver George Russell. He quickly sets the fastest time on soft tires. The rest of the field only focuses on a qualifying run in the last ten minutes. Initially, McLaren and Ferrari are disappointing.
Verstappen only leaves the pits on softs with just over four minutes to go. The Dutchman aborts his run at the end of the lap, so it’s unclear how fast he actually is on the soft tires. With the fastest time on the medium tires, he finishes fifteenth. He watches as rival Norris proves to be the fastest in McLaren’s second run.
The expectation is that this weekend will be a feast for the fans. How justified that is will soon become apparent. For example, already in the sprint qualifying on Friday evening. That starts on Friday evening at 17:30 UTC.
