Max Verstappen beat Kimi Antonelli by just 0.025 seconds in final practice for the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Nov. 7. The Red Bull driver clocked 1 minute, 11.622 seconds to lead the session, Formula 1’s session report confirmed.
That pace comes with a race-day limitation: Verstappen is set to start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid following several power unit changes, Formula 1 reported.
A close finish to practice
Drivers began their qualifying simulations on soft tires with only 15 minutes remaining. George Russell was the first to break the 1 minute, 12-second barrier, before Lando Norris, Antonelli and finally Verstappen moved ahead of him, according to Formula 1.
Norris finished third, 0.131 seconds behind Verstappen, with Russell fourth at 0.184 seconds back. Charles Leclerc was fifth, 0.274 seconds off the session’s fastest time.
Russell and Leclerc also face penalties for Sunday’s race. Formula 1 reported a five-place grid drop for Russell and 10-place drops for both Ferrari drivers, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, following internal combustion engine changes.
Hamilton misses his qualifying simulation
Hamilton’s session ended with about 25 minutes remaining. Formula 1 reported that he complained of “strange vibrations with the engine,” returned to the pits, then went back out before returning immediately with “smoke in the cockpit.”
He finished 12th without completing a qualifying simulation, The Race reported. His fastest lap came on medium tires, rather than the softs used for the late qualifying runs.
