EL1 – Brazil: Pérez dominates, Ferrari and Mercedes in the mix

Eight thousandths. This is what separates the top three at the end of the first free practice session. Sergio Pérez dominated the first free session of the Brazilian Grand Prix, in a weekend which will be marked on Saturday by the third sprint race of the year. The Mexican has in fact moved ahead Charles Leclerc of 4 small thousandths, and his teammate Max Verstappen of 8, which promises for the qualifications scheduled for 20 p.m. French time this Friday evening. 

Given the lack of running before serious things, all the drivers quickly left their garage and did their first laps on an extremely green and dusty track. To the point that Max Verstappen was barely able to turn on the hard tires, victim of monstrous understeer. This did not prevent him from taking the best entry time, until his teammate Checo Pérez decided to be the first to put on the soft tires after twenty-five minutes of the session. 

Leclerc in contact with Pérez 

Quite logically, the Mexican signed a clear improvement in the time established on hard by the Batavian (-1 "7), and would retain control of the session until the end, Max Verstappen failing in the process at 8 thousandths. On medium rubber, the Team Ferrari was quite efficient, with Sainz at 2/10th and Leclerc at 4/10th, both men losing the effectiveness of their F1-75 in turn 12, with a lot of sliding on the exit.

Two and a half hours before qualifying, the Ferraris really came out of the woods in the final moments by putting on red tires. Thanks to a second purple sector, Charles Leclerc positioned himself and failed only 4 thousandths behind Pérez, with Carlos Sainz 4th at 186/1000th. 

Three-way battle in qualifying?

The battle could not take place in two but in three since the Mercedes also seem to be in the match after their nice return to form initiated in Austin and confirmed in Mexico. Lewis Hamilton (5th) is only 187/1000th, while his teammate George Russell is only 2 tenths off the best time.

Also note the good times of the German drivers. Triple winner here at Interlagos, Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) signed the 7th time, in front of his protégé Mick Schumacher (Haas). On the French side, Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) signs the 10th fastest time in Mediums, ahead of the driver he will replace in 2023 Fernando Alonso. Esteban Ocon points to him in 13th row in front Lance stroll but behind Alex Albon. See you live with commentary on AUTOhebdo.fr this Friday from 19:45 p.m. for the qualifying session.