Lando Norris set the fastest time in the only practice session for the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, while title contender Max Verstappen received confirmation of a grid penalty for Sunday’s race in Brazil.
Norris clocked a 1:10.610 lap in the final minutes, edging out Mercedes’ George Russell by nearly two-tenths of a second, signalling strong form for the McLaren driver ahead of Friday’s Sprint Qualifying at Interlagos.
Formula One History Recommends
Verstappen, who held a 47-point lead over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship with four races to go, abandoned his only flying lap on soft tyres and finished the session in 15th place.
During the session, it was confirmed that Red Bull had fitted a new engine to Verstappen’s car, meaning he would incur a five-place grid penalty on Sunday.
Oliver Bearman made an impressive debut for Haas, completing a British top-three after stepping in on short notice for the unwell Kevin Magnussen. Bearman would continue to fill in for Magnussen in both Sprint sessions.
McLaren’s strength was further emphasised by Oscar Piastri, who secured fourth place behind teammate Lando Norris, though the unusual order on the timesheet hinted that the results should be interpreted with caution.
Alex Albon claimed fifth for Williams, just ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The strong showing from Ferrari, with each driver taking a win in the previous two races, had brought the team within 29 points of McLaren in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship standings.
Lewis Hamilton placed 16th for Mercedes after choosing not to run on the soft tyres, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, despite a stint on the fastest compound, struggled and finished 19th.
Sao Paulo GP FP1 Results
2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix FP1, 1 November 2024
Seen in:
