Lewis Hamilton headed title rival Max Verstappen during Friday practice for Formula 1’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Verstappen led the way for most of the session, on both the Medium and Soft tyres, but Hamilton, despite running slightly wide at Turn 4, utilised a tow through the final sector to inch ahead of Verstappen on his second push lap on Softs.
Hamilton then went even faster during the closing stages of running as he clocked a time of 1:09.050s to leave him 0.367s clear of Verstappen at a cool and cloudy Interlagos.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas completed the first four positions at a cool and cloudy Interlagos.
A strong start – but a penalty for Sunday
It was confirmed at the start of the session that Hamilton has taken a fresh Internal Combustion Engine, his fifth of the season, which means he will incur a five-place grid drop.
The sanction will be applied after the conclusion of Saturday’s Sprint, meaning Hamilton will start at best sixth for Sunday’s grand prix.
But Hamilton will still be able to fight for the maximum three points on offer for Sprint prior to the application of the penalty.
Hamilton currently trails rival Verstappen by 19 points in the standings.
Teams ready after fraught Thursday
Interlagos was one of several venues absent on Formula 1’s 2020 calendar owing to the pandemic and there were fears that the championship would not return to the circuit.
But a fresh five-year deal was agreed between the relevant parties, securing Interlagos’ Formula 1 future through 2025, under the new title of Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
As per Silverstone and Monza it was the only running prior to qualifying, which will take place later on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s grid-setting Sprint race.
Formula 1 teams worked late into the night in order to ready the cars after delays meant some equipment didn’t arrive until Thursday afternoon.
Governing body the FIA waived the usual curfew and pushed back scrutineering, with the final form being submitted to the Technical Delegate shortly after 08:00 this morning.
Gasly heads the midfield once more
Pierre Gasly claimed his maiden Formula 1 podium in 2019 by placing second following a thrilling drag race to the line against Hamilton.
Fresh from classifying a strong fourth in Mexico City Gasly classified fifth for AlphaTauri, ahead of the Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Alpine followed, with Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso eighth and ninth, their best times encouragingly coming on Mediums, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished at the foot of the top 10.
McLaren did not run the Soft tyre in the session, leaving Lando Norris down in 15th, and Daniel Ricciardo further back in 19th spot.
Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is scheduled for 16:00 local time
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