Free practice GP São Paulo 2025: Norris sets best time and Bortoleto shines in 5th
Lando Norris, from McLaren, recorded the best time in the single free practice session of the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix this Friday (7), at the Autódromo de Interlagos. The Brit clocked 1min09s975 on his last fast lap, beating teammate Oscar Piastri by just 0s023. The session took place from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Brasília time, and served as preparation for the sprint classification, scheduled for 3:30 pm on the same day.
Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut as an F1 driver at home for Sauber, finished in fifth place with 1min10s616, 0s641 behind the leader. The Brazilian equaled his best result in free practice of the season, achieved at the Mexican GP. The activity highlighted the teams’ adaptation to the sprint format, with only one hour of track available.
McLaren showed strength by occupying the first two positions, while Nico Hülkenberg, Bortoleto’s Sauber teammate, was third with 1min10s594. Fernando Alonso, from Aston Martin, completed the top 4 in 1min10s606. Drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were outside the top five.
- Main times of the top 5: Norris (1:09.975), Piastri (1:09.998), Hülkenberg (1:10.594), Alonso (1:10.606), Bortoleto (1:10.616).
- Number of laps: Norris completed 31, Piastri 33, Bortoleto 32.
- Conditions: Dry track with a temperature of 28°C and a chance of rain for Saturday.
The title rivals top FP1 with Hulkenberg third 👀#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/o6tYZ7F9RQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 7, 2025
Evolution of the session in Interlagos
The drivers started training on hard tires, prioritizing long race simulations. Norris took the initial lead with 1min11s796, but George Russell, from Mercedes, improved to 1min11s188 and dominated for around ten minutes. Verstappen took advantage of low traffic to move up to second place.
The change to medium tires, with 15 minutes to go, accelerated the times significantly. Carlos Sainz briefly took the lead, but Piastri clocked 1min09s998 and led until the final moments. Norris, with the best sector three, guaranteed McLaren the double.
Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda faced an early incident when he skidded into a curb on the back straight, damaging his front and rear wings. He remained in the pits for almost 30 minutes and returned on soft tires, the first to test the softer compound.
Bortoleto’s performance at local debut
Bortoleto started conservatively, clocking 1min11s938 on hard tires and placing 13th. During long runs in the first half, he tested the Sauber car’s endurance, temporarily dropping to 12th. The strategy focused on data for fine-tuning, considering the team’s recent aerodynamic upgrades.
With medium tires onIn the final minutes, the Brazilian advanced to tenth and then fifth, overtaking rivals such as Pierre Gasly and Sainz. His final time reflects confidence on the track he has known since Formula 4, where he won in 2021. Sauber has 19 points in the championship, with Bortoleto contributing in five top-10s.
Hülkenberg, his teammate, reinforced the team’s good moment by finishing third, 0s022 ahead of Alonso. Bortoleto completed 32 laps, collecting valuable information for the sprint classification.
Bortoleto’s personalized helmet, with elements of the Brazilian flag and references to his career in São Paulo, caught attention in the pits. He avoided mistakes and prioritized consistency, essential for a highly technically demanding track.
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Incidents and team adjustments
Tsunoda lost valuable time when he hit the curb, only returning in the final 15 minutes. His fast lap of 1:10.912 left him 11th, impacting Red Bull’s preparations for the sprint. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton spun the Junção climb without damage, but completed just 28 laps in 12th.
Teams such as Mercedes and Ferrari tested configurations for rain forecast on Saturday, with winds of up to 75 km/h. Russell, in sixth with 1min10s645, led for a good part of the beginning, but lost pace with the mediums. Alonso’s Aston Martin exploited extra downforce in sector two.
- Notable incidents: Tsunoda (skidding and pits), Hamilton (Junction round).
- Main tests: Medium tires by McLaren and Sauber; long runs for Red Bull and Ferrari.
- Total laps: 35 by Russell, the most of the session.
Full Top 10 and Weekend Times
The final table reflects the balance between tires and strategies. Norris and Piastri highlighted the superiority of McLaren, which leads the Constructors’ World Championship with 713 points. Bortoleto, in fifth, cheers the local fans with his evolution.
Gasly was seventh (1min10s681), followed by Sainz (1min10s686) and Isack Hadjar (1min10s707). Kimi Antonelli completed the top 10 in 1min10s812. Verstappen finished ninth, 0s732 behind the leader, focusing on setups for the sprint.
The sprint classification defines Saturday’s grid at 11am, with the short race at 3pm. The main one, on Sunday (9), starts at 2pm. Broadcasts take place on Bandsports and F1TV Pro.
The São Paulo GP, the 21st stage of 2025, attracts 120 thousand daily spectators. Interlagos, renovated in 2023, maintains iconic curves such as Senna S and Duplo Esquerdo. Bortoleto, 21, ends Brazilians’ fast at home since 2017.
Sprint preparation and expectations
Teams analyze FP1 data for overnight refinements, focusing on traction in the final sector. McLaren tests floor upgrades for gains of 0s1 per lap. Sauber prioritizes balance for Bortoleto, who has accumulated experience in 19 GPs.
Forecast indicates cloudy on Friday and an 80% chance of rain on Saturday, changing tires and racing lines. Brazilian fans fill the stands, with banners for Norris, World Cup leader, and Bortoleto.
The single session speeds up the schedule, requiring immediate precision. Hülkenberg praised the track in a preview press conference, highlighting post-renovation grip. Alonso, a veteran, completed just 26 laps as a precaution in simulations.
