F1 Brazilian GP 2025: McLaren Dominates São Paulo Practice

By Harshit - Nov 08, 2025 03:32 PM
Last updated on Nov 08, 2025 03:32 PM

The 2025 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend began with a thrilling Free Practice session at São Paulo’s legendary Interlagos circuit. Fans packed the grandstands to witness the roar of engines and the drama of the only practice session before qualifying. As the sun set over the circuit, McLaren once again stole the spotlight, demonstrating incredible form that left the rest of the grid chasing shadows.

Lando Norris, the current championship leader, put in a stunning display of pace and precision, clocking a fastest lap of 1:09.975. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, wasn’t far behind, finishing just 0.023 seconds adrift. The McLaren duo dominated the timesheets, sending a clear message to their rivals ahead of the all-important sprint and race days. While their rivals struggled to find rhythm, Norris and Piastri seemed untouchable, carving through the circuit’s tight corners with absolute confidence.

Behind them, surprises and shocks unfolded throughout the session. Nico Hulkenberg secured a remarkable third place for Stake F1, while Fernando Alonso and rookie sensation Gabriel Bortoleto rounded out the top five. Meanwhile, championship contender Max Verstappen endured a tough outing, finishing a disappointing 17th. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton also found themselves far from the front, with Yuki Tsunoda closing out the bottom of the standings. The stage is now set for an intense qualifying battle that could shake up the title race.

McLaren Dominates São Paulo Practice

McLaren’s resurgence in the 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular, and their performance in São Paulo further cemented their reputation as the team to beat. Norris and Piastri showcased a level of pace that left rivals stunned. Their MCL39 handled the challenging Interlagos circuit beautifully, balancing straight-line speed with impeccable cornering stability. Norris’s final flying lap, a blistering 1:09.975, was a statement of intent — he’s here not just to defend his lead but to extend it.

Oscar Piastri, who had been struggling with car balance issues in previous rounds, appeared rejuvenated. His 1:09.998 lap time was just a fraction slower than his teammate’s, signaling a strong return to form. “It feels good to be back up there,” Piastri said after the session. “We’ve worked really hard as a team to understand where we were losing time, and I think this session showed how far we’ve come.” The McLaren garage celebrated as both cars topped the timesheets, an achievement that puts them in an ideal position for the upcoming sessions.

Midfield Surprises: Hulkenberg and Bortoleto Shine

While McLaren stole the headlines, the midfield saw its own share of excitement. Nico Hulkenberg continued his impressive run with Stake F1, securing P3 with a lap time of 1:10.594. His consistency and ability to extract performance from a car that lacks top-tier resources have earned him widespread praise. “We made the most of our setup window today,” Hulkenberg said. “If we can carry this form into qualifying, we might just surprise a few people.”

Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto delivered a dream performance on home soil, finishing fifth in his first Free Practice at Interlagos. Driving for Stake F1 alongside Hulkenberg, Bortoleto thrilled local fans with his confident driving and raw pace. Between them, they placed Stake firmly in the upper half of the standings, a remarkable achievement for the midfield team.

Top Ten and Key Performances

The rest of the top ten featured a mix of veterans and young talents. Fernando Alonso put in a strong showing for Aston Martin, clocking 1:10.606 to take fourth. George Russell led Mercedes’ charge in sixth with 1:10.645, while Pierre Gasly’s solid performance earned him seventh for Alpine. Williams also impressed, with Carlos Sainz finishing eighth in 1:10.686 and Alexander Albon just outside the top ten.

Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar continued to make waves, securing ninth place ahead of Mercedes’ young prospect Kimi Antonelli, who finished tenth. It was a solid session for the up-and-comers, highlighting the depth of young talent currently rising through the ranks of Formula 1.

Struggles for the Front-Runners

The shock of the day came from the back of the grid. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen struggled for grip and balance throughout the session, managing only 17th with a 1:11.368. Ferrari also endured a tough outing — Charles Leclerc could only manage 18th, while Lewis Hamilton, now in Ferrari colors, ended 19th. Their lack of pace puzzled fans and analysts alike, as neither seemed able to extract performance from their cars in the cooler track conditions.

Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the session in 20th after a series of setup changes failed to deliver the desired improvements. “We just couldn’t get the tires in the right window,” Tsunoda admitted. “There’s work to do before qualifying.” With heavyweights like Verstappen, Leclerc, and Hamilton languishing at the back, tomorrow’s session promises plenty of drama and potential comebacks.

Full Free Practice 1 Results – Brazilian GP 2025

• 1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:09.975
• 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:09.998
• 3. Nico Hulkenberg (Stake F1) – 1:10.594
• 4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:10.606
• 5. Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake F1) – 1:10.616
• 6. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:10.645
• 7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:10.681
• 8. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:10.686
• 9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:10.707
• 10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:10.744
• 11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:10.794
• 12. Alexander Albon (Williams) – 1:10.807
• 13. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:10.906
• 14. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:10.961
• 15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:11.070
• 16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1:11.160
• 17. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:11.368
• 18. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:11.493
• 19. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:11.526
• 20. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 1:11.763

Looking Ahead: Qualifying and Race Day

With McLaren setting the pace and Red Bull and Ferrari struggling, the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable races of the season. Norris enters qualifying as the clear favorite, but with the unpredictable weather of São Paulo always a factor, nothing is guaranteed. The circuit’s combination of tight corners and high-speed straights often produces chaotic races, and with multiple world champions starting from unusual positions, fans can expect plenty of wheel-to-wheel action.

As teams fine-tune their setups and analyze data from practice, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can bounce back and whether McLaren can sustain their dominance. The 2025 season has already delivered surprises, and the Brazilian Grand Prix promises to add another unforgettable chapter to the championship story.

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