Last year witnessed George Russell of Mercedes snagging both the sprint race and the main event’s top spot in São Paulo.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz dashed ahead, clinching the fastest time in São Paulo Grand Prix’s first practice, with team mate Charles Leclerc in tow and leaving behind Mercedes’ George Russell.
The practice round’s insights into the qualifying dynamics, slated for 18:00 GMT, remained scarce as the other frontrunners opted out of trying the soft tyres.
Defending world champ Max Verstappen lagged at a surprising 16th, his Red Bull only sporting the hard compound tyres, while Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes echoed a similar strategy, landing him at 12th.
A stir was caused by Lando Norris’s McLaren after an on-track tangle with Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas, now pending an investigation.
Norris, hustling on a quick lap, was met with Hulkenberg unexpectedly slow on the apex as they approached Juncao’s finale. Taking a dive on the inside, Norris overshot the turn, clipping Hulkenberg’s Haas in a move some spectators likened to a racing version of a ‘shoulder check’.
Post-incident, both Norris and Hulkenberg have been summoned before the stewards for their testimonies.
Norris, with only the 19th quickest time, joined the cohort of top competitors who relied solely on the hard tyre set during the sole practice session before qualifying, especially critical as this weekend’s schedule includes the ‘sprint’ format.
This format introduces a shake-up, with Friday’s qualifying deciding the grid for Sunday’s main race, while Saturday operates as a sprint marathon with both qualifying rounds and a brief race.
Before engines roared for practice, F1 stamped a deal securing the iconic Interlagos track a spot on the race calendar until at least 2030.
Formula 1’s head honcho Stefano Domenicali applauded Brazil’s profound motorsport legacy and the celebrated status of the circuit among drivers and enthusiasts alike.
“It encapsulates the essence of pure racing,” Domenicali remarked, “and we are excited to see its evolution in the years ahead, enhancing the fan experience even further.”
On a completely different note, our inquisitive Greg Foot puts his stomach to the test with motion sickness remedies – all in the name of science.
Meanwhile, in a gripping tale from the past, a passenger shares their harrowing experience aboard the 1993 hijacked Nigerian Airways flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about São Paulo Grand Prix practice
Who was the fastest in the first practice at the São Paulo Grand Prix?
Carlos Sainz from Ferrari set the pace and was the fastest in the first practice session at the São Paulo Grand Prix, with his teammate Charles Leclerc coming in second.
Why were Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton not among the top times?
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton did not clock among the top times as they both ran on hard tyres during the practice session, which are slower compared to the soft tyres.
What incident occurred involving Lando Norris at the São Paulo Grand Prix?
Lando Norris was involved in an incident with Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas during practice. The collision took place at the final corner, Juncao, and is under investigation.
How does the ‘sprint’ format affect the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend?
The ‘sprint’ format means that the grid for Sunday’s grand prix is determined by a qualifying session on Friday. Saturday features another qualifying followed by a short ‘sprint’ race.
What announcement did Formula 1 make regarding the Interlagos track?
Formula 1 announced a new five-year contract that ensures the Interlagos track will remain a part of the F1 calendar until at least 2030, confirming its long-term commitment to racing in Brazil.
More about São Paulo Grand Prix practice
- São Paulo Grand Prix Results
- Ferrari’s Performance in Practice
- Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg Incident
- F1 Sprint Race Explained
- Interlagos Contract Extension
- Max Verstappen’s Strategy
- Lewis Hamilton’s Performance
