Formula 1: Norris leads practice in Sao Paulo as Red Bull Struggle

The only practice session of the weekend in Sao Paulo ended with Lando Norris quickest of all, knocking off George Russell at the end of the session by 0.181s as rookie Oliver Bearman, substituting for an unwell Kevin Magnussen, set the third quickest time in another strong session for the Haas F1 team after scoring double points in Mexico.

With Sprint qualifying looming in the afternoon, teams were eager to get on track for the only practice of the weekend for Formula 1’s penultimate Sprint weekend in 2024. As such, it took little time for the Haas “super-sub” Oliver Bearman to hit the circuit in replacement of Kevin Magnussen as he continues to build his experience for his rookie season in 2025.

The recently re-paved circuit was quick swarmed as the remainder of the field took to the track as exploration began on the fresh tarmac. With little running on the surface to this point, it was a proverbial slip-and-slide as many were caught out, such as Franco Colapinto’s drifting through Mergulho or Yuki Tsunoda’s slide in the middle sector of the lap.

HIGHLIGHTS: Catch the action from FP1 in Brazil as Norris tops the timesheets ahead of Russell and Bearman

As the track evolved the quickest laps of the session were traded amongst the top drivers, with Verstappen, Russell and Norris all spending time on top, with Norris ultimately winning out. However, it proved to be a difficult session for some despite the time spent on the top of the time sheets.

Unlike his title rival, it was a difficult and frustrating session for Max Verstappen as the team confirmed he would be changing his ICU for the weekend, setting the championship leader up for a five place grid drop come Sunday. Though little should be made of times during the session, Verstappen ended his session 15rh quickest as teammate Perez was only able to set the 19th quickest lap, miring the two Red Bulls at the far end of the grid.

Meanwhile, it was a mixed bag for the Mercedes team as George Russell set the second quickest time despite complaints of severe bumpiness in his W15, while teammate and home crowd favorite Lewis Hamilton only managed the 16th quickest time, joining Verstappen at the tail end of the field.

Following Norris, Russell, and Bearman, Oscar Piastri made it two McLaren’s in the top four as he was followed by Alex Albon in fifth ahead of the Ferrari pair of LeClerc and Sainz in sixth and seventh. Nico Hulkenberg finished the session eighth quickest in another strong showing for Haas as he outpaced Fernando Alonso and Pierre Galsy to round out the top ten.

Sprint qualifying is up next as drivers and teams prep themselves for the remainder of the Sprint weekend. Tune in live at 15:30 local time for all the action as we follow the weekend in Brazil.

FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2024 Schedule

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