Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fastest in final practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix but will serve grid penalties along with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen pipped new Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli by 0.025s but will start at the back of the grid for a complete power unit change, while Hamilton and Leclerc have 10-grid place penalties for exceeding their internal combustion engine allocation.
Mercedes had already announced on Friday that George Russell will have a five-place penalty for a new internal combustion engine, the second time he has exceeded that part’s limit, while the Ferrari drivers are being penalised for the first time, so have a bigger penalty.
It means Antonelli and McLaren’s Lando Norris are favourites for pole position in qualifying later on Saturday at 6pm (build-up from 5pm), live on Sky Sports F1.
Norris was just 0.106s slower than Antonelli in third and also traded top spot with the Mercedes driver throughout Friday’s practice sessions, as McLaren’s upgrades in Brazil appear to have made an immediate performance impact.
Russell was fourth quickest and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had much stronger pace compared to Friday, after making significant changes to his car’s setup, and was just 0.274s off the pace.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari is into the garage after engine issues during the third practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
His team-mate Hamilton was limited to just seven laps due to an engine issue, which Ferrari are in a race to rectify ahead of qualifying.
Hamilton initially complained about engine vibrations, and later, his engine started smoking, which brought his session to an early end.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Sao Paulo GP Schedule
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Saturday November 7
5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 8
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP reaction
8pm: Ted’s Notebook
Formula 1 is in Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW