Brazil GP F1 FP1: Norris fastest ahead of Antonelli, seven rookies out

Lando Norris (McLaren) was fastest in the first free practice session for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, with a lap of 1:11.717. World champion Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) was second, 0.082s back.

First times at Interlagos

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) was third, just under a quarter of a second behind Norris, and Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) fourth, about a tenth further back. Norris set his benchmark with a new front wing, meant to help find a good balance again. Antonelli, crowned last week in Mexico, had also led the session before being beaten. Turn 1 proved tricky: several drivers, including Antonelli and Hamilton, locked the front left under braking.

Seven rookies at the wheel

The session was used to try young drivers in place of the regulars:

• Leonardo Fornaroli (McLaren), in Oscar Piastri's car;
• Dino Beganovic (Ferrari), in place of Charles Leclerc, who arrived late in Brazil after the birth of his first child;
• Luke Browning (Williams), for Carlos Sainz;
• Rafael Camara (Haas), who replaces Esteban Ocon for the whole weekend and makes his F1 debut;
• Freddie Slater (Audi), for Nico Hülkenberg;
• Gabriele Mini (Alpine), for Pierre Gasly;
• Colton Herta (Cadillac), for Sergio Perez.

Herta completed 26 laps of Interlagos, enough to earn the point he lacked for his Super Licence, according to Crash.net and RacingNews365.

A red flag and a penalty

Freddie Slater stopped his Audi after only six laps, which brought out a red flag. His already very limited session in Mexico repeated itself. At Mercedes, George Russell will take a five-place grid penalty: he is changing his combustion engine this weekend, according to FormulaPassion, and cannot keep the position earned in qualifying.

What is at stake this weekend

Antonelli arrives in Brazil with a helmet paying tribute to Ayrton Senna. Mercedes can also win the constructors' title this weekend, according to Crash.net. The tension between Hamilton and Leclerc remains the other talking point in the paddock after Mexico.

Key takeaways

• Norris, on 1:11.717, is 0.082s ahead of Antonelli.
• Seven rookies drove FP1, including Camara making his debut with Haas.
• Russell will take a five-place grid penalty.

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