With the Brazil GP’s only practice session wrapped up, there are a few takeaways from the session before the crucial sprint qualifying. With just four races left, every weekend is vital for teams up and down the grid. The sprint format means there is only one practice session, hence, setup is the most crucial factor.
As the battle for the championship is heating up, Max Verstappen has confirmed he will take a 5-place grid penalty for taking out a sixth engine. This means Lando Norris must take advantage and close the gap. This penalty may have ramifications in the constructor’s championship too. But who looked the quickest?
Lando Norris fastest and showing good pace ahead of the Brazil GP
It was Lando Norris who was the fastest in the session. He edged out George Russell by just under two-tenths. With Oscar Piastri completing a lap to put him fourth, McLaren looks like the team to beat. However, these timings could be misleading.
Ferrari looked off the pace in the short runs. The Scuderia have had a mini-revival, putting themselves back in contention for the constructors’ championship. They have won the last two races. So to fall nearly half a second off the pace looks as if they could be not showing their hand. This would be to keep the other teams guessing on their true pace.
FP1 CLASSIFICATION
Played, Ollie 👏#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/GOxaw27eGU
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 1, 2024
Max Verstappen also finished down in fifteenth. This is because the Dutchman didn’t finish his hot lap on the soft tires. By not doing so, the three-time world champion failed to show his true pace. In the longer runs on the medium tire, it was the three-time world champion on top.
Traffic was also a major issue in Interlagos. The track is short and has a lot of twisty sections. As a lot of drivers found out, traffic can eat a lot of time in the second sector. Most notably, drivers who seemed to lose time in traffic were Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez.
Oliver Bearman shows pace before Brazil GP sprint qualifying
Oliver Bearman showed quick speed at Interlagos before the sprint qualifying showdown. Before the practice session, it was announced Kevin Magnussen was sick. The team needed a replacement and so the 19-year-old Brit took to the cockpit. The youngster drove well and finished the session in third.
🚨 BREAKING: Kevin Magnussen is unwell in Brazil and won’t be in the Haas today.
Ollie Bearman will replace the Dane and complete FP1, Sprint Qualifying and the Sprint race.
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— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) November 1, 2024
Haas has a good pace at the moment. They are locked in a battle with Racing Bulls for sixth in the constructors’ championship. They have scored for four races in a row and have overtaken their rivals.
Bearman stepped in and put in a great lap, three-tenths faster than his teammate Hulkenberg. The Brit has never raced in Brazil as the F2 championship doesn’t visit the country. However, this is only practice where teams are trying setups. While it was a good start, the real pressure will be once the sprint qualifying session has begun.
