Sao Paulo (AFP) – The Dutch Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen, was the fastest in the third and final free practice session of the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix, held this Saturday at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo.

First modification: 07/11/2026 - 17:47

The four-time world champion stopped the clock at 1:11.622, beating the new F1 monarch, the Italian Kimi Antonelli, who clocked a time of 1:11.647 aboard his Mercedes.

The record was good news for Verstappen, second in the world championship, who was announced this Saturday that he will start from the back of the grid on Sunday due to a penalty.

The British Lando Norris, champion with McLaren in 2025, was third (1:11.753).

Antonelli led for much of practice, although Verstappen set the fastest lap in the final part.

The session was marked by an incident involving veteran driver Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), who had to abandon due to a problem with his car.

The British, seven-time world champion, ended up setting the 12th fastest time.

Sanctions

For his part, the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) was tenth and the Argentine Franco Colapinto (Alpine) was fourteenth.

After the last of the three free practices, the qualifying session will take place, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. GMT.

Apart from Verstappen, four other drivers were sanctioned this Saturday: the Ferraris of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, the Cadillac of the Mexican Sergio Pérez and the Mercedes of the British George Russell.

Verstappen and Pérez will lose 30 positions and will start last in Sunday's GP. Hamilton and Leclerc will lose ten places and Russell, five.

- Results of the third round of free trials:

1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:11.622

2. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes) 1:11.647

3. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:11.753

4. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:11.806

5. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:11.896

6. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:11.935

7. Arvid Lindblad (GBR/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1:12.060

8. Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1:12.171

9. Isack Hadjar (FRA/Red Bull) 1:12.213

10. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Audi) 1:12.644

11. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Mercedes) 1:12.644

12. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari) 1:12.833

13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Audi) 1:12.865

14. Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine-Mercedes) 1:12.925

15. Rafael Câmara (BRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1:12.981

16. Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas-Ferrari) 1:13.109

17. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:13.147

18. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Honda) 1:13.171

19. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Williams-Mercedes) 1:13.303

20. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Cadillac-Ferrari) 1:13.573

21. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Cadillac-Ferrari) 1:13.722

22. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Honda) 1:14.766

© 2026 AFP

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