Lando Norris tops Friday practice while Antonelli returns to the track at São Paulo
Norris set the fastest lap in the first practice session at Interlagos as rookie champion Andrea Antonelli made his return to Formula 1 action.
Friday’s opening practice at the São Paulo Grand Prix saw McLaren’s Lando Norris claim the quickest lap, clocking a 1:09.845 on the 4.309‑km Interlagos circuit, according to Reuters. The British driver edged out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, signalling McLaren’s strong early pace ahead of qualifying on Saturday.
In the second practice session, the spotlight shifted to Italy’s Andrea Antonelli, the 2024 Formula 2 champion who returned to the grid after missing the first session due to a minor health issue. Sky Sports F1 reported that Antonelli topped the timesheets with a 1:09.562, beating his teammate and the rest of the field. The young driver’s performance suggests he is quickly finding his rhythm in a new car after his promotion to the senior category.
Both practice sessions were marked by a hot and humid Brazilian afternoon, with ambient temperatures hovering around 30 °C (86 °F). The track’s bumpy surface and the famous "Senna S" at Turn 1 tested the drivers’ car set‑ups, especially in the high‑downforce configuration required for the long straight and the tight, twisty in‑lap. Teams focused on tyre management, opting for the soft compound to maximise grip while gathering data for the qualifying run.
For Indian fans, the São Paulo weekend will be streamed live on FanCode, with practice sessions starting at 02:00 IST (Friday) and 05:00 IST (Saturday). The race itself is scheduled for 02:00 IST on Sunday, giving Indian viewers a convenient early‑morning slot. Fans can also follow live timing and commentary on the official F1 app, which offers a dedicated Indian feed.
Looking ahead, Norris’s early speed adds intrigue to his championship chase, while Antonelli’s impressive return could make him a dark horse for the sprint race later in the weekend. Both drivers will aim to translate practice pace into qualifying performance, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic race at one of F1’s most iconic circuits.
Source: Reuters