Lando Norris asserted his authority in the first practice session of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, clocking the fastest time in an upgraded McLaren MCL38. The British driver edged out new Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.082 seconds, signaling a significant performance boost for the Woking-based outfit. This result marks a pivotal moment for McLaren, who have struggled to contend for victories in recent rounds but now appear to have found the competitive edge needed to challenge at the Interlagos circuit.
New aero package delivers immediate gains, setting up a fierce title fight in Sao Paulo.
The immediate impact of McLaren’s technical upgrade package is evident, with the team introducing a new front wing, rear wing, beam wing, and floor furniture specifically for this weekend. While most competitors focused their development efforts on 2027 car concepts, McLaren’s strategic decision to prioritize current-season performance has yielded tangible results. The car’s improved handling and downforce levels allowed Norris to extract maximum pace, suggesting the team could be serious contenders for the podium and potentially the win in Brazil.
The session highlighted the depth of the midfield and top-tier competition, with four different teams occupying the top four positions. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured third place, finishing 0.236 seconds behind Norris, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top four at 0.324 seconds off the pace. This tight grouping indicates a highly competitive field heading into the remainder of the weekend. Fans can follow the action as second practice begins at 7pm live on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying scheduled for 6pm on Saturday.
Source: Sky Sports
