The Brazilian Grand Prix is heating up with a thrilling practice session that saw Lando Norris claim the top spot, setting the stage for an exciting Sprint Qualifying later today. Norris, driving for McLaren, clocked in a blistering 1:10.610s lap, outpacing Mercedes’ George Russell by nearly two tenths of a second. This impressive performance signals a strong contender for the McLaren driver in the upcoming Sprint Qualifying.
Meanwhile, championship leader Max Verstappen faces a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after Red Bull fitted a new engine to his car. This setback, coupled with his aborted attempt at a flying lap on soft tires, left him in 15th place in practice. Despite this penalty, Verstappen remains ahead of Norris in the Drivers’ Championship by a comfortable 47 points with four races remaining.
Another exciting development was the impressive performance of British driver Oliver Bearman, standing in for the unwell Kevin Magnussen at Haas. Bearman completed a British one-two-three alongside Norris, demonstrating his skills and potential in the high-pressure environment. He will continue to race for Haas in both Sprint sessions.
Adding to the excitement, Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate at McLaren, secured fourth place in practice, highlighting the team’s strength. However, the fluctuating positions suggest the timesheet should be taken with a grain of salt.
Williams driver Alex Albon secured fifth place, followed by Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Italian team, bolstered by their recent wins, has narrowed the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, now trailing them by just 29 points.
Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, opted to skip the soft tires during practice and finished 16th. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, struggled in the session, ending in 19th place.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling weekend of racing with the Sprint Qualifying on Friday and the main race on Sunday. The intense competition between drivers and teams is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the championship battle continues to unfold.
