P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It’s close between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri going into sprint qualifying at Interlagos.
During the practice session at Interlagos, Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton found themselves in low positions, 17th and 19th, respectively, despite setting their fastest times on hard tires.
Despite finishing just 0.023 seconds behind Norris, Piastri was unable to match Norris, the only two drivers to complete a lap in less than 70 seconds, leaving the rest of the field far behind.
Piastri hinted at resolving his car issues but did not disclose details, mentioning improved rear grip over the radio during the session.
After struggling in recent races and losing his championship lead to Norris, Piastri is determined to challenge Norris and Verstappen this weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Tsunoda had a challenging session, spinning off track and causing damage to his Red Bull, which kept him in the garage for repairs for a significant amount of time.
Several drivers, including Russell, Verstappen, Leclerc, Stroll, and Albon, showcased their pace on different tire compounds throughout the session, setting the stage for an exciting weekend ahead.
