Verstappen Fastest in Practice but Will Start From the Back After Grid Penalty

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the final practice session of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Verstappen finished 0.025 seconds ahead of Kimi Antonelli, the new Formula 1 world champion. However, Verstappen will start Sunday's race from the very back because of a complete power unit change.

Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were sent 10 places back for exceeding their engine usage limits. Mercedes had announced on Friday that George Russell would also receive a five-place penalty. Russell received this penalty for an internal combustion engine component, and it was the second time he exceeded the limit. The penalty for the Ferrari drivers is harsher because it was applied for the first time.

McLaren's Lando Norris finished third, 0.106 seconds behind Antonelli. Russell was fourth. Leclerc showed a much stronger pace than on Friday and finished 0.274 seconds off the leading time. Hamilton, however, could only complete seven laps due to an engine issue. He first complained of a vibration, and after his engine began to smoke, the session ended early.

Qualifying will begin Saturday at 18:00, and rain is expected. Antonelli and Norris appear to be the favorites for pole position. Piastri was sixth and saw a chance to move forward by benefiting from his rivals' penalties. Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson were seventh and eighth, while Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was ninth. Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto had a strong weekend in his home country and finished tenth. Rafael Camara was 15th, and in a practice session he finished ahead of his Haas teammate Oliver Bearman for the first time.