Lando Norris set the pace in the opening practice session of the 2026 Formula 1® Brazilian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out newly crowned champion Kimi Antonelli. Norris clocked a 1m11.717s lap on soft tires, finishing just 0.082 seconds ahead of Antonelli, highlighting the close competition among the top drivers and teams as the weekend began.
The session saw strong performances from the leading teams, with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton completing the top four. Verstappen, running third fastest, reported some issues over the radio related to downshifting and steering in his Red Bull car. Despite these challenges, the timesheets reflected a tight grouping among McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, and Ferrari. Several drivers, both experienced and rookies, struggled with lock-ups at Turn 1, which affected their running and lap times.
Rookie driver Rafael Camara made an early debut for Haas, finishing 18th in the session, nearly nine tenths slower than his teammate Oliver Bearman. Alpine’s test driver Gabriele Minì impressed by setting the fastest time among test drivers, placing seventh ahead of teammate Franco Colapinto. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s Colton Herta completed a largely trouble-free session, aside from a significant lock-up, and is close to securing the final point needed for his FIA superlicence for 2027.
Technical difficulties limited the running of Ferrari’s Dino Beganovic and Audi’s Freddie Slater, with Slater’s car shutting off early in the session and causing a red flag. The session underscored the fine margins in the opening phase of the weekend, with the top four teams separated by only a few tenths of a second. Drivers and teams appeared focused on gathering data and adjusting setups ahead of the more competitive sessions to come.
The variety of drivers on track, including newcomers and established names, highlighted the depth of talent in the field. The session also provided valuable track time for drivers like Antonelli, who recently secured the championship, as well as for those aiming to secure their superlicence points or make an impression ahead of the 2027 season.
Overall, the first practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix demonstrated a competitive and closely matched field, with Norris leading the way but with several drivers and teams showing promising pace. The session’s results set the stage for further developments as the weekend progresses.