Overview
- Franco Colapinto completed 34 laps in Friday's first practice and posted a best time of 1:12.654 to finish ninth at Interlagos.
- Alpine ran rookie Gabriele Minì in Pierre Gasly’s car for FP1 and Minì set the seventh-fastest time of 1:12.569, 0.085 seconds quicker than Colapinto.
- Lando Norris led the session for McLaren and the hour was interrupted when Freddie Slater’s Audi stopped on track and prompted a red flag and a recovery.
- Several teams used rookies and reserve drivers in FP1 to meet FIA mileage rules, a pattern that shaped the order and reduced how directly FP1 times predict race pace.
- Teams will return regular race drivers for FP2 and FP3 to refine race setups and confirm Alpine’s early competitiveness, with Colapinto seeking to rebound from his penalty in Mexico.