Norris Leads McLaren 1-2 in Sao Paulo GP Practice, Piastri Close Behind

Lando Norris kicked off the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend by topping the only practice session at Interlagos, leading a McLaren one-two with teammate Oscar Piastri. Norris's 1m09.975s lap edged Piastri by a mere 0.023 seconds, setting the stage for an intense intra-team battle in Sprint Qualifying.

Why it matters:

This dominant performance from McLaren in the sole practice session of a sprint weekend is a significant statement. With only an hour to fine-tune their cars before Sprint Qualifying, McLaren's immediate pace suggests they've hit the ground running. This could be crucial for their constructors' championship aspirations and for both drivers' individual campaigns, especially for Piastri, who is looking to rebound from recent challenging weekends.

The Details:

• The practice session, delayed slightly for track clean-up, ran for the full hour, providing the only opportunity for teams to gather data before the competitive sessions.
• Early in the session, drivers focused on long-run data using Pirelli's hardest C2 tires, with George Russell initially setting the pace.
• McLaren's Pace: Piastri quickly demonstrated strong form, matching Norris sector-for-sector, indicating McLaren's continued strong development and performance.
• Tsunoda's Incident: Yuki Tsunoda spun at Turn 4, clipping the barrier and damaging both wings, cutting short his initial run—a setback given his uncertain future with Red Bull.
• Verstappen's Quiet Session: Max Verstappen ran wide at Turn 4 but avoided damage. He ended up 17th after abandoning his final flying lap, suggesting a focus on different programs or conservative running.
• Sprint Qualifying Simulation: As the session concluded, most teams switched to C3 medium tires to simulate Sprint Qualifying conditions, with Alex Albon, Russell, and Carlos Sainz briefly leading before McLaren's surge.

The Big Picture:

McLaren's impressive showing in Brazil's sole practice session underscores their upward trajectory this season. While Red Bull's Max Verstappen had a subdued run, and Ferrari and Mercedes also appeared further down the order, the tight margins between the McLarens highlight the team's strong internal competition and overall package. The unique sprint format puts immense pressure on teams to be quick from the off, and McLaren has certainly delivered on that front, potentially shaking up the established pecking order.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Sprint Qualifying later today, where the true pecking order will begin to reveal itself. McLaren's strong start suggests they are serious contenders for pole and high points in the Sprint Race. How Verstappen and the other front-runners respond, particularly after their quiet practice sessions, will be key to understanding the weekend's narrative. The varied programs and fuel loads mean much is still unknown, but McLaren has certainly laid down an early marker.