Norris fastest in Sao Paulo practice as champion Antonelli returns to action

Lando Norris was quickest in first practice for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, while newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli returned to the track and finished second. The session offered an early look at the pace ahead of the weekend, as Mercedes also pursue the constructors’ title.

Norris’s best lap was 1 minute 11.717 seconds, 0.082 seconds ahead of Antonelli; Max Verstappen was third, 0.236 seconds behind. Mercedes can clinch the constructors’ championship if they outscore Ferrari by three points, while George Russell faces a grid penalty. Two Brazilian drivers were on the grid for the first time since 2016: Gabriel Bortoleto was eighth and Rafael Camara, making his 2026 car debut, was 18th. A gearbox failure brought out a red flag, and rain is forecast later at the circuit.