The F1 Brazil GP 2026 Practice Results saw Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli share the fastest times across Friday’s two practice sessions at Interlagos. The 2026 Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix weekend got underway on November 6.
With Norris topping FP1 for McLaren in 1:11.717, while newly crowned World Champion Antonelli finished the day on top after setting a 1:10.763 lap in FP2 for Mercedes.
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The opening day at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace offered a close fight among McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull. Antonelli finished second in FP1 before taking the top position in the afternoon session. Max Verstappen remained competitive in both sessions, securing third place each time.
With FP3 and Qualifying still to come, Friday’s results have already provided an interesting picture of the competitive order ahead of the main race.
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F1 Brazil GP 2026 FP1 Results: Lando Norris Leads the Opening Session
McLaren’s Lando Norris started the São Paulo GP weekend on a positive note by topping the opening practice session with a lap time of 1:11.717. He finished just 0.082 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who recorded a 1:11.799.
Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull with a 1:11.953, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton secured fourth position. George Russell completed the top five for Mercedes.
The FP1 session also featured six rookie appearances as regular drivers stepped aside to fulfil the young-driver practice requirement. Leonardo Fornaroli drove for McLaren, Freddie Slater represented Audi, Luke Browning took the Williams seat, Colton Herta drove for Cadillac, Gabriele Minì appeared for Alpine and Dino Beganovic represented Ferrari.
F1 Brazil GP 2026 FP1 Classification
| Position | Driver | Team | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:11.717 |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:11.799 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:11.953 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:12.041 |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:12.103 |
| 6 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1:12.156 |
| 7 | Gabriele Minì | Alpine | 1:12.569 |
| 8 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1:12.614 |
| 9 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:12.654 |
| 10 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:12.715 |
Source: FIA official FP1 classification.
Norris’ performance gave McLaren an encouraging start, although the gap between the leading drivers remained small. Antonelli was only 0.082 seconds behind, while Verstappen was 0.236 seconds off the fastest time.
F1 Brazil GP 2026 FP2 Results: Kimi Antonelli Sets the Pace
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli returned to the top of the timing sheets in FP2, producing the fastest lap of Friday with a 1:10.763. The Italian finished 0.253 seconds ahead of Norris, who secured second position for McLaren.
Verstappen followed closely in third, just 0.006 seconds behind Norris. Russell finished fourth, completing a strong session for Mercedes, while Oscar Piastri placed fifth for McLaren.
Antonelli’s lap was particularly impressive because he became the first driver of the session to break into the 1:10s. Russell had briefly moved to the top with a 1:11.036 before Norris and Verstappen improved their times. Antonelli subsequently delivered the benchmark lap that remained unbeaten until the chequered flag.
F1 Brazil GP 2026 FP2 Classification
| Position | Driver | Team | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:10.763 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:11.016 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:11.022 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.036 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:11.084 |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:11.213 |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:11.483 |
| 8 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1:11.780 |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1:11.839 |
| 10 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:11.991 |
Source: Formula 1 official FP2 classification and session report.
Hamilton finished sixth, while Leclerc secured seventh after a difficult session. The Ferrari driver had a near-miss with Haas rookie Rafael Câmara on the main straight, which affected one of his flying laps. Bortoleto finished eighth on home soil, followed by Hadjar and Bearman.
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Ferrari Faces Work Ahead of Qualifying
Ferrari had a mixed Friday at Interlagos. Hamilton finished fourth in FP1 but dropped to sixth in FP2, while Leclerc returned to the cockpit for the afternoon session after Dino Beganovic drove his car in FP1.
Leclerc ended FP2 in seventh position. The Monegasque driver also reported difficulties with the car’s feeling and lost time during a near-miss with Câmara. Ferrari will therefore have work to do before Qualifying to close the gap to Mercedes and McLaren.
Verstappen Remains in the Fight as Audi Faces a Setback
Verstappen finished third in both practice sessions, keeping Red Bull within striking distance of the leading teams. However, the Dutchman reported steering-related difficulties during FP1 and also experienced issues during the second session. Red Bull will need to address these concerns before Qualifying.
Audi had a more difficult day with Nico Hülkenberg. Rookie Freddie Slater’s FP1 session was cut short by a technical issue, and the team was unable to get Hülkenberg’s car ready in time for FP2. As a result, the German driver did not set a lap time in the second session.
Home favourite Gabriel Bortoleto, meanwhile, delivered a consistent performance by finishing eighth in both FP1 and FP2.
What to Expect from Qualifying at the 2026 São Paulo GP?
Friday’s results suggest that Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull could be closely matched heading into Qualifying. Antonelli has the advantage after topping FP2, but Norris showed strong pace in the opening session, while Verstappen remained close to the leading pair.
Weather could also become an important factor. Rain was forecast for Saturday, and teams may have to adapt their setup and tyre strategies if conditions change at Interlagos.
George Russell also has a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after taking a new internal combustion engine. This could influence Mercedes’ approach to Qualifying and its overall race strategy.
The battle for pole position is therefore far from settled. Antonelli has the strongest Friday result, but Norris and Verstappen remain serious contenders as the São Paulo GP weekend moves towards its decisive sessions.
Auto India Daily Verdict
Kimi Antonelli ended Friday as the driver to beat after topping FP2, but McLaren’s Norris showed that the team has competitive pace as well. The F1 Brazil GP 2026 Practice Results also highlight Verstappen’s consistent top-three finishes, keeping Red Bull firmly in contention heading into Qualifying.
Ferrari, on the other hand, needs to find more performance before Qualifying, while Audi will be looking to recover from Hülkenberg’s missed session.
With changeable weather expected at Interlagos, Saturday’s running could significantly alter the competitive order. Friday’s practice results provide an early indication, but the real test will come when drivers fight for grid positions in Qualifying.
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AID Editorial Desk covers the latest automotive news, car and bike launches, EVs, technology, buying guides and motorsport for Auto India Daily.