The British pilot Landau Norris (McLaren) dominated this Friday the only free test for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, ahead of his compatriot george Russel (Mercedes) and the three-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull), behind on the clock and sanctioned for the start.
Although he had a poor performance in the first laps at the Interlagos Autodrome, Norris set the best time (1:10.610 minutes) in 29 laps and sent a warning in the fight for the title, with four races left in the race. season.
Second in the classification table, 47 points behind Verstappen, the McLaren man beat Russell, second on the day, by +0.181 and the also British Oliver bearmanthird, by +0.195.
Bearman’s performance and presence at the helm of the Haas, in replacement for Danish Kevin Magnussensick leave due to medical indisposition, was one of the great novelties of the practice in the economic capital of Latin America.
Verstappen, for his part, recorded the fifteenth best time, 1.102 seconds behind his main pursuer, on a day in which it was learned that on Sunday he will have to start five places behind his classification position, after being sanctioned for changing his unit. of power for the sixth time this season.
The Ferraris of the Monegasque Charles Leclercthird in the fight for the title, 71 points behind the leader, and the Spanish Carlos Sainz They occupied sixth and seventh positions, respectively.
The Argentinian Franco ColapintoWilliams’ revelation, was thirteenth, while the Mexican Sergio Perez (Red Bull) once again had a disappointing performance that took it to the penultimate place.
During the session, several drivers had problems controlling their cars entering or exiting different corners.
He José Carlos Pace Autodromebetter known as Interlagos, the only event of the Grand Prix of Motorsport in South America, went through an asphalt renewal process in recent weeks.
This Friday’s free practice will be the only one that the twenty runners will have before competing later this Friday, starting at 3:30 p.m. local (6:30 p.m. GMT), in the sprint race classification.
Results of the first and only free practice session of the Sao Paulo GP:
1. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:10.610 (29 laps)
2. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:10.791 (24)
3. Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas-Ferrari) 1:10.805 (30)
4. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:10.950 (30)
5. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:10.955 (28)
6. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:11.038 (31)
7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:11.100 (30)
8. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:11.124 (26)
9. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:11.215 (26)
10. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:11.216 (27)
11. Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1:11.301 (26)
12. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1:11.483 (25)
13. Franco Colapinto (ARG/Williams-Mercedes) 1:11.619 (31)
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:11.651 (29)
15. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:11.712 (30)
16. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:11.754 (30)
17. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:11.783 (26)
18. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:11.827 (26)
19. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:11.845 (28)
20. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:12.883 (27)
