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Brazilian GP
F1 Brazilian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 and Qualifying
Friday's action from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit
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"See how low the left-rear is, because there's something happening with it," mumbles Raikkonen over the radio. Perhaps therein lies the cause of his big oversteery moment a few minutes previously?
Hamilton and Perez have now improved their times to move above Bottas - but neither of them are in the same league as Verstappen at the moment. The championship leader's 1m10.189s is still 0.849s quicker than Hamilton, who had a good tow from an Alfa Romeo down the pit straight at the end of his last lap.
We dread to think how many laps Raikkonen has done around this place over the years, but the 2007 winner (aided on that day of course by team orders for Felipe Massa) has just had a big old wobble at Turn 7, causing him to run a bit wide over the exit kerb.
That won't affect the grid position for the 2016 and 2018 winner for the sprint - wherever he qualifies later today is where he'll start the sprint. It will then take effect from where he finishes tomorrow's 30-minute blast.
We're hearing that Lewis Hamilton has taken a new internal combustion engine this weekend. That means he'll also have to serve a five-place grid penalty on Sunday.
Latifi has gone out on mediums and set the 15th fastest time, but we've yet to see Russell out on track in the session so far.
But Verstappen immediately responds, going faster still with a 1m10.853s to put 0.68s between himself and Bottas.
That swiftly changes though, as Bottas moves up to second on a 1m11.540s.
Despite his hard tyres, Ocon is currently third quickest on a 1m12.536s ahead of the two Mercedes of Hamilton and Bottas.
Despite that though, Verstappen is the early pace-setter - it's a 1m11.482s that puts him fastest, ahead of team-mate Perez in second.
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"I have quite big tyre vibrations," reports Verstappen to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. "Understood," is GP's calm response.
Those on hards are Alonso, Raikkonen, Leclerc, Giovinazzi, Vettel, Ocon.
Those on mediums include: Norris, Ricciardo, Bottas, Mazepin, Schumacher, Tsunoda, Gasly, Perez, Hamilton and Verstappen.
There seems to be a fairly even split of the cars on hards, versus those on mediums, which we'll bring you in a moment.
With the exception of the two Williams cars, everybody has headed out immediately within the first 90 seconds or so.
Green flag
And we're underway for FP1 in Brazil.
That being said, given the importance of getting set-ups locked in (as cars enter parc ferme conditions effectively as soon as qualifying begins), that was always going to be the case for FP1 anyway.
Intriguingly, the risk of rain for this session is 60%. As a result, expect cars to try and get as much running in as possible right from the start of the session.
The weather in Sao Paolo today is relatively mild - 18.2 °C air temperature, and 37.3 °C track temps. Lots of people wearing coats, and the odd beanie hat spotted in the grandstands too.
After FP1, we'll go straight into qualifying later on (19:00 UK time), which sets the grid for the F1 sprint at 19:30 tomorrow. Before then, we'll also bring you coverage from FP2 as drivers gain understanding of tyre durability for the race.
Just five minutes to go until we're underway for FP1 - the only practice session today, as this weekend marks F1's third use of the sprint format.
The last time we were in Brazil in 2019, we were also treated to a modern classic as then-Ferrari team-mates Vettel and Leclerc clashed, putting both out. Then we had the Albon-Hamilton contact, which resulted in the Gasly-Hamilton near photo-finish at the line, and the Mercedes driver's subsequent penalty that handed Sainz a first-ever podium.
In the past, we've called Fisichella's 2003 Jordan EJ13 the worst car ever to win a grand prix. Do you have any suggestions for a car that can top it?
Down the years, Interlagos has produced many of the world championship's most incredible moments. From Senna, exhausted, barely able to lift the trophy in 1991, to the remarkable 2001 race where Montoya ambushed Schumacher - only to be wiped out by Jos Verstappen - and the unforgettable title deciders of 2008 and 2012. And who could forget the 2003 crashfest, where winner Giancarlo Fisichella's Jordan caught fire in parc ferme?
We're back at Interlagos for the first time since 2019 after the one-year COVID hiatus, and doesn't it feel good? The grandstands may no longer be chanting 'Rubinho, Rubinho' (showing my age there), but the Brazilian fans love their motorsport and are in good voice as we prepare for FP1 in just over 10 minutes time.
Hello and welcome to Autosport's live coverage of Friday's action from the Brazilian Grand Prix. It's a pleasure to have you along with us.
By: Autosport Staff
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