Red Bull's Max Verstappen topped final practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix but will start from the back due to a complete power unit change. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc also face 10-place grid penalties for exceeding their engine allocation. Mercedes' George Russell has a five-place penalty for a new internal combustion engine.
With multiple top drivers dropping down the grid, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and McLaren's Lando Norris emerge as favourites for pole position during Saturday's qualifying session, which is expected to be affected by rain. Norris finished just 0.106 seconds behind Antonelli, showing strong pace following McLaren's recent upgrades. Ferrari's Leclerc improved significantly after setup changes, finishing 0.274 seconds off the pace, while Hamilton's session was cut short by an engine issue that caused smoking and vibrations.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who has struggled recently, stands to benefit from the penalties and finished sixth. Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, along with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, are in contention for second-row positions. Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto continued his strong home performance in tenth, while Rafael Camara made his F1 debut for Haas, beating teammate Oliver Bearman.
Esteban Ocon will not drive for Haas in the remaining races following a dispute.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing