The Friday practice sessions at the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix offered valuable insights into team performances and driver form ahead of qualifying at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. Kimi Antonelli, the newly crowned World Champion, set the pace in the second practice session, showing strong speed for Mercedes despite his teammate George Russell facing a grid penalty for Sunday’s race.
Mercedes demonstrated solid pace with Antonelli leading FP2, while Russell prepared to manage a five-place grid drop. McLaren showed encouraging signs as well, with Lando Norris topping the times in FP1 and the team’s upgrade package delivering positive feedback. Oscar Piastri and reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli also contributed effectively to McLaren’s running. Red Bull Racing remained competitive, with Max Verstappen consistently quick despite reporting steering difficulties. His teammate Isack Hadjar encountered challenges adapting to setup changes.
Ferrari found the second session more difficult, with Charles Leclerc hindered by traffic on track and Lewis Hamilton also facing challenges. Dino Beganovic’s running in FP1 was limited by reliability concerns. Audi experienced setbacks as Nico Hulkenberg did not participate in FP2 due to car issues, while rookie Freddie Slater missed much of FP1 but gained valuable experience. Gabriel Bortoleto delivered a solid performance for the team. Alpine’s rookie Gabriele Mini impressed in FP1, outperforming teammate Franco Colapinto, and Pierre Gasly returned for FP2 but remained unsatisfied with the session.
Haas drivers Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara completed solid sessions, although Camara received a reprimand for a track incident. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad showed steady progress amid the competitive midfield. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished their programs with Alonso near the top 10, while Williams struggled with pace and limited running. Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon focused on setup work and data collection. Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas returned to action after a crash, with Sergio Perez and Colton Herta concentrating on adapting to changing weather conditions.
Pirelli reported notable differences in track conditions between the two practice sessions, with tyre degradation influenced by temperature variations. The forecast suggests wet weather could affect qualifying and the race, adding an element of unpredictability to the weekend. Teams are expected to adjust their setups overnight to address these challenges and optimise performance for the upcoming sessions.
The feedback from Friday’s sessions highlights the fine margins teams and drivers face at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. Antonelli’s pace underlines his strong form as World Champion, while other teams continue to refine their cars amid evolving conditions. The variable weather forecast will be a key factor in shaping strategies and performance as the weekend progresses.