Sainz sets the fastest FP1 time in the only free practice session

Carlos Sainz sets the early pace at the Brazilian Grand Prix, topping the timing sheets in the only practice session before qualifying later in the day.

Both Ferraris set the pace within the final five minutes of the session, with Charles Leclerc taking P2 just ahead of George Russell on the mediums.

Early pace set by the rapid Red Bulls

Around the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace at São Paulo, this weekend is the final Sprint weekend in the 2023 season and the third Sprint weekend in four races.

As a result, today is the only practice session of the race weekend, meaning it is a vital session for teams and drivers to trial setups and all the tyre compounds before qualifying later on in the day.

The session started with Verstappen topping the timing charts, as the Dutchman has done all season. Interlagos has been a circuit dominated by Mercedes in the last few race weekends, but the Red Bulls showed their pace once again, as they did not move from the top two spots in the opening 20 minutes of FP1.

Sergio Perez, who crashed out at the first corner in his home race in Mexico last weekend, was very close to his teammate in the opening quarter of the session but could not find that extra pace to go quicker than his teammate.

Mercedes shows their hand

The next third of practice was much more open, with the hard tyres being replaced by the medium tyres for some drivers, along with lighter fuel loads.

The first driver to cross the line with that combination was the AlphaTauri of Yuki Tsunoda, who briefly set the fastest lap of the session. However, the Japanese driver was quickly replaced by last year's race winner, George Russell, highlighting the pace the Mercedes possesses around the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit.

His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, did not fit the mediums, along with the Red Bulls, but could only come P10 on the hards. However, the Brit was ahead of both Ferraris on the white-walled tyres, as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz could only sit in P13 and P14, respectively, as the session ticked down to the final 20 minutes.

Ferrari finally show some speed

The final 20 minutes of FP1 allowed some drivers to bolt on the red-walled hard tyres, which were used by both Haas drivers, along with Alex Albon, who got themselves into the top ten.

The Ferraris also used that opportunity to practise for qualifying, which allowed Sainz to top the session with just five minutes to spare, with Leclerc following close behind. The Red Bulls and the McLarens, once again, did not change from the hard tyres, meaning they finished at the back of the pack as the chequered flag dropped.