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Formula 1 São Paulo GP

F1 Brazilian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 and Qualifying

Follow along for FP1 and qualifying for the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75

F1’s sprint race format returns at the penultimate round of the 2022 season, which is set to shake up the Brazilian GP at Interlagos.

Having wrapped up both F1 world titles already this season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull will look to take another clean sweep having won both sprint races earlier this season at Imola and the Red Bull Ring.

Friday’s action sees opening practice followed by the traditional qualifying, ahead of second practice and the sprint race on Saturday. Sunday’s schedule remains unchanged with the full grand prix race.

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That's a good effort on the medium from Sainz, a 1m12.104s that puts him just 0.251s down on Perez's benchmark with the soft.
What have Mercedes got in the locker? The Silver Arrows are 14th and 16th at the moment, 1.7s off the pace.
Quote
"Feels like the rear is just floating around," reports Hamilton. "No grip, particularly on the rear." Quite the change in fortunes from one year ago.
Stroll reports that there is a problem with the car after running wide over the Turn 4 kerbs. That's been a bit of a magnet corner so far.
He's fighting for his F1 career at the moment, but that's a promising lap from Schumacher who launches up to P4 in the Haas with soft tyres to split the medium-shod Ferraris.
He's beaten though by Russell, who launches from 15th to fourth in the lead Mercedes with a time 0.336s off Perez's earlier best.
Magnussen becomes the latest to run wide at Turn 4, so he'll have to wait before going for a time on his softs. Replays show a nasty lock-up for Russell under braking at Turn 8 where Magnussen earlier had issues too.
Vettel has had plenty of memorable moments at Interlagos - such as clinching the 2012 title after a first lap tangle with Bruno Senna. He'll attempt to add one more to the list this weekend ahead of his retirement, and punches in a strong fourth-fastest time on softs.
Hamilton isn't having a good time of things at the moment, the car bottoming out on the kerbs at Turn 8 with his left-front solidly locked. Last year's winner is currently 17th in the times, although team-mate Russell has improved to third to bring Mercedes some cheer.
Perez remains the benchmark that everybody is aiming at from his first lap on the softs, as Verstappen has focused on dialling out understeer. Will anybody topple his time in the final track running before qualifying?
Almost everybody is now using softs, and Bottas uses them to go eighth as Alonso moves into tenth.
That's a bit more like what we've come to expect from Hamilton. He takes third, 0.187s down on Perez.
Hamilton's time though is immediately beaten by Sainz - who sneaks ahead by 0.001s.
Leclerc now splits the Red Bulls and goes second, 0.004s down on Perez. Verstappen in third is a yawning 0.008s behind. It's tight at the top!
The Red Bulls aren't looking to defend their spots at the top. They are currently circulating on softs, but around 7-8s down on those doing quali sims, presumably carrying fuel to simulate the wear they can expect in tomorrow's sprint race.
Intriguingly, the tightly-bunched trio at the top are quick in different places. Verstappen through sector one, Leclerc in the middle sector and Perez in the final sector that mostly comprises the flat-out dash towards the line.
Checkered flag
The checkered flag is now out, bringing an end to FP1 with Sergio Perez on top for Red Bull ahead of Charles Leclerc's Ferrari by just 0.004s.
Despite complaining of oversteer, Verstappen is just 0.008s behind his team-mate in third, while Sainz is fourth ahead of Mercedes pair Hamilton and Russell.
Vettel is the best of the rest in seventh for Aston Martin ahead of Schumacher (Haas), Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and Gasly (AlphaTauri), then Alonso (Alpine) in 11th and Albon (Williams) in 12th.
Leclerc, as he trawls back to the pits, reports that he has "something in my left-rear brake duct". Nothing gets past these F1 drivers, I tell you.
A frenetic session then as teams raced to log miles to perfect their set-ups for qualifying. Will they have got it right? We'll find out at around 8pm UK time...
Neither McLaren driver set a time on softs in that session, which in part explains why Norris (15th) and Ricciardo (20th) are so far back. But the same can also be said of Alonso (11th) and Ocon (13th). An interesting strategic ploy from the two teams duelling over fourth in the constructors' standings.
In case you missed any of the action, here's the full report from FP1 in Interlagos as Sergio Perez took the top spot from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen - the trio split by just 0.008s: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-brazilian-gp-perez-leads-leclerc-in-opening-practice/10398151/
We'll be taking a short break now, but we'll be back with you to bring you build up to qualifying before 7pm UK time later on. See you then!
Green flag
Hello! Who ordered a side of rain with their Friday qualifying?
Rain
That's right, the wet stuff has arrived from the sky at Interlagos to add some spice to proceedings.
As is customary with the sprint race format, there has been one 60-minute session of practice and then straight into qualifying which will set the grid for the sprint race on Saturday.
Sainz has already picked up a five-place grid penalty for a Ferrari engine change, but due to the rules he won't serve it until his finishing position in the sprint is decided. So, for now, discount the grid penalty considerations. That's a problem for tomorrow.
The F1 timing screen has sparked into life to declare there are low grip conditions and the risk of rain is 60% for qualifying. What's the risk of fun? 100%!
Opening practice was bone dry earlier on, so this will be all the drivers first experience of the wet conditions this weekend. Lots of learning on the job.
The F1 theme tune is playing so you know what that means. This is your five-minute warning for the start of qualifying!
All drivers are in their garages, so expect a busy start to Q1 as they assess conditions.
Lights green
Magnussen heads the F1 train at pitlane exit, with all drivers on the intermediate tyres to start with. Here we go!
Leclerc is told rain is expected in 10 minutes, and given this session lasts 18 minutes in total, the early lap times will be vital to make it into Q2.
17 out of 20 drivers on track already - just missing Verstappen, Alonso and Ocon.
Stopwatch
For those out on track the first lap times are coming in, with Leclerc leading the way with a 1m19.191s. In truth, it cannot be far off slick tyres already.

By: autosport.com

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