FP1 São Paulo 2025: McLaren Lock Out the Top Two as Ferrari Stay in the Garage
1. Session Snapshot
The only “normal” practice of the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend (a sprint format runs on Saturday) lasted 60 minutes under overcast but dry skies. A short delay for debris clearance pushed the green light to 15:35 local time, after which the 20 drivers completed a combined 572 laps .
2. McLaren Crush the Field
Lando Norris set the benchmark late on medium tyres with a 1:09.975, pipping team-mate Oscar Piastri by 0.023s to underline McLaren’s high-downforce superiority around the 4.309 km Interlagos layout . Both MCL39s ran reliably, logging 31 and 29 laps respectively.
3. Surprise Packages: Hülkenberg & Bortoleto
Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) and rookie home favourite Gabriel Bortoleto shocked the paddock by slotting into fourth and fifth, within three tenths of Norris. Fernando Alonso split them in the Aston Martin, proving once again that experience counts on the undulating Brazilian asphalt.
4. Ferrari’s Hard-Tyre Gamble
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed the entire session on hard compound rubber, ending 18th and 19th. Hamilton provided the only moment of drama when he spun at Pinheirinho, narrowly keeping the car out of the wall .
5. Verstappen Struggles on Softs
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen tried both hard and soft compounds but never threatened the top 10, finishing 17th after a scruffy lap on the soft C5. Red Bull admitted they were “chasing balance” in the bumpy middle sector .
6. Key Lap Times (Top 10)
Table
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Tyre | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:09.975 | Medium | 31 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:09.998 | Medium | 29 |
| 3 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber | 1:10.112 | Medium | 26 |
| 4 | Fernando Alonso | Aston M. | 1:10.201 | Medium | 25 |
| 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 1:10.259 | Medium | 27 |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:10.314 | Medium | 28 |
| 7 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:10.402 | Medium | 24 |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:10.471 | Medium | 30 |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | R. Bulls | 1:10.512 | Medium | 23 |
| 10 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:10.588 | Medium | 22 |
Full timing screens available at https://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/fr/formule-1/resultats/f1-gp-du-bresil-2025-essais-libres,203909.html.
7. What It Means for the Weekend
- McLaren arrive with genuine pace: low-fuel speed plus tyre preservation could make them favourites for Saturday’s sprint.
- Ferrari’s data deficit: skipping medium running may haunt them when the points are handed out.
- Verstappen under pressure: set-up changes are expected overnight if he wants to maintain his championship charge.
Conclusion
Free Practice 1 at Interlagos delivered the unexpected: a McLaren 1-2, a pair of Saubers in the top five and two scarlet cars at the very foot of the timing sheet. With qualifying and the sprint race looming, teams have precious little time to unlock the secrets of São Paulo’s rollercoaster circuit.
Sources
- Turbo.fr – Full FP1 classification
- ZoneF1.com – Live timing data
- NextGen-Auto – Session delay & lap counts
- L’Équipe – Norris edges Piastri
- NextGen-Auto – Detailed results table
- Le Soir – Verstappen struggles analysis