Mercedes eyes Constructors’ crown as São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying results set up a tense race
Mercedes sets the early pace
Kimi Antonelli topped Friday’s second practice session. He was 0.082 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris’s pace during the first hour of practice, as Mercedes showed strong single-lap speed across the first two sessions.
Qualifying simulations also identified Mercedes as the team to beat for pole, with Red Bull and Ferrari close behind. Race-pace simulations showed a tighter contest: Red Bull was 0.03 seconds off Mercedes, McLaren 0.07 seconds back and Ferrari 0.10 seconds behind.
Penalties reshape the grid picture
Mercedes could clinch the Constructors’ Championship on Sunday if results go its way. The article also states that Antonelli had already become the F1 Drivers’ Champion with a podium in Mexico City.
Rain adds race uncertainty
Rain is in the forecast for Sunday, raising the prospect of a chaotic race at Interlagos. The combination of wet weather and grid penalties could make the starting order only part of the story.
The provisional grid was to be filled in during the qualifying hour, scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
Key points
- Mercedes showed strong one-lap pace ahead of São Paulo qualifying.
- Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari were close behind Mercedes in race-pace simulations.
- Russell, Hamilton and Verstappen face penalties for new engine components.
- Sunday’s rain forecast could add uncertainty to the race at Interlagos.