Track action was repeatedly compromised by incidents, including an early red flag caused by Audi stand-in Freddie Slater stopping with a gearbox failure after just seven laps. Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic also suffered delays due to off-track excursions that required floor repairs and relegated him to 21st. Despite these interruptions, regular frontrunners asserted themselves alongside a rare home appearance for two Brazilian competitors.
Key points
Mercedes can officially secure the constructors' championship this weekend by outscoring…: Mercedes can officially secure the constructors' championship this weekend by outscoring Ferrari by three points.
George Russell faces a strategic grid penalty after Mercedes designated Interlagos as an…: George Russell faces a strategic grid penalty after Mercedes designated Interlagos as an opportune track to take the setback.
Technical reliability proved challenging on the slippery circuit as Audi reserve driver F…: Technical reliability proved challenging on the slippery circuit as Audi reserve driver Freddie Slater was sidelined by a gearbox problem.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
SAO PAULO, Nov 6 : McLaren's Lando Norris set the pace in first practice for Formula One's Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Friday, with newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli second fastest in his first track session since sealing the title in Mexico last weekend.
Norris, who dominated at Interlagos last year on his way to the 2025 championship, topped the timesheets with a lap of one minute 11.717 seconds. Mercedes' Antonelli was 0.082 slower, with Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen third, 0.236 off the pace.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, who is due to serve a grid penalty this weekend as the team chase the constructors' championship.
Mercedes can secure the title at Interlagos if they outscore Ferrari by three points.
"We felt like this was a good place to take it," Russell said in comments shared by Mercedes on social media, noting that his former teammate Hamilton had recovered strongly from a grid penalty at Interlagos in the past.
Antonelli, who clinched the championship last Sunday with third place in…
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