Verstappen fastest in final practice but faces grid penalties with Ferraris

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was fastest in final practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix but will serve grid penalties along with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen pipped new Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli by 0.025s but will start at the back of the grid for a complete power unit change, while Hamilton and Leclerc have 10-grid place penalties for exceeding their internal combustion engine allocation.

Mercedes had already announced on Friday that George Russell will have a five-place penalty for a new internal combustion engine, the second time he has exceeded that part's limit, while the Ferrari drivers are being penalised for the first time, so have a bigger penalty.

It means Antonelli and McLaren's Lando Norris are favourites for pole position in qualifying later on Saturday at 6pm (build-up from 5pm), live on Sky Sports F1, when rain is expected.

Norris was just 0.106s slower than Antonelli in third and also traded top spot with the Mercedes driver throughout Friday's practice sessions, as McLaren's upgrades in Brazil appear to have made an immediate performance impact.

Russell was fourth quickest and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc had much stronger pace compared to Friday, after making significant changes to his car's setup, and was just 0.274s off the pace.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

His team-mate Hamilton was limited to just seven laps due to an engine issue, which Ferrari are in a race to rectify ahead of qualifying.

Hamilton initially complained about engine vibrations, and later, his engine started smoking, which brought his session to an early end.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri has struggled in the second half of the season but has an opportunity to start high up the grid with all of the penalties for his rivals, and he was sixth in final practice.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto continues to have a strong weekend on home soil in 10th while compatriot Rafael Camara was 15th and beat Haas team-mate Oliver Bearman for the first time in a practice session.

Camara is making his F1 debut in Brazil after Haas announced Esteban Ocon will not drive for the team in the remaining races after a dispute week in Mexico.

Haas are yet to announce who will drive in the final rounds in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sao Paulo GP Practice Three Timesheet

1) Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:11.622
2) Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.025
3) Lando Norris McLaren +0.131
4) George Russell Mercedes +0.184
5) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.274
6) Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.313
7) Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +0.438
8) Liam Lawson Racing Bulls +0.549
9) Isack Hadjar Red Bull +0.591
10) Gabriel Bortoleto Audi +1.022
11) Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.022
12) Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +1.211
13) Nico Hulkenberg Audi +1.243
14) Franco Colapinto Alpine +1.303
15) Rafael Camara Haas +1.359
16) Oliver Bearman Haas +1.487
17) Alex Albon Williams +1.525
18) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.549
19) Carlos Sainz Williams +1.681
20) Sergio Perez Cadillac +1.951
21) Valtteri Bottas Cadillac +2.100
22) Lance Stroll Aston Martin +3.144

Sky Sports F1's live Sao Paulo GP Schedule

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player


5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook


3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP reaction
8pm: Ted's Notebook

Formula 1 is in Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW

Original source Verstappen fastest in final practice but faces grid penalties with Ferraris

Back to home