Overview
- Lando Norris set the fastest time in Friday’s first practice at Interlagos with Kimi Antonelli 0.082 seconds back and Max Verstappen third, but teams treated FP1 mainly as a running and development session.
- Antonelli, the newly crowned world champion, then produced the quickest time in the second practice session, showing a step up in pace that reshapes Friday pecking order.
- Several teams used rookie and substitute drivers in FP1 to complete mandatory young-driver miles and test parts, and local prospect Rafael Camara completed a lengthy outing as he prepares to debut for Haas.
- Mercedes driver George Russell will start the race with a confirmed five-place grid penalty for an engine change, a factor that will influence strategic choices this weekend.
- Teams introduced aero updates — notably McLaren’s new front wing — and with variable Brazilian weather forecasted, FP2 and qualifying will be the decisive sessions for true race pace and setup decisions.