Event: Brazilian Grand Prix
Track: Autodromo Interlagos

Weather: dry 29.8°C
Tarmac: dry 42.8°C
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 11.5 km/h S
Pressure: 920 mbar

First Free Practice Report

São Paulo’s iconic Interlagos circuit played host to a gripping and frenetic first practice session for the 2023 Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix. The session was a blend of quick laps, technical snags, and close encounters as drivers tackled the legendary track under overcast skies, with a slim 20% chance of rain adding a tinge of unpredictability.

With only an hour allocated for FP1, courtesy of the weekend’s Sprint format, teams were under pressure to optimize their setups and strategies. Red Bull was in the spotlight, aiming to correct last year’s rare misstep at this circuit, while Mercedes and Ferrari sparred for dominance, each showcasing their respective late-season surges and persistent challenges.

Early into the session, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly grappled with brake and tyre issues, a precursor to the technical hurdles that would continue throughout the practice. The track temperature sizzled at 40°C, possibly contributing to a flurry of incidents, including Carlos Sainz’s near-miss with a kerb-induced spin and an on-track collision between Nico Hulkenberg and Lando Norris, setting the stage for post-session scrutiny by the stewards.

Max Verstappen quickly stamped his authority with a blistering 1m 13.950s lap, but it was Mercedes’ George Russell who, after switching to medium tyres, soared to the top of the timesheets, nine-tenths ahead of the pack. This assertive lap served as a reminder of Mercedes’ potent form at Interlagos, bolstering hopes for a repeat of last year’s success.

The session was punctuated by the strategic juggling of tyre compounds, with teams keen to conserve their mediums for the consequential sprint and race days. This conundrum led Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner to reveal a focus on soft tyre runs, considering their ongoing battle with tyre wear.

On the softs, Yuki Tsunoda made a statement by clocking the fastest time, only to be eclipsed by Russell’s aforementioned flyer. Meanwhile, mechanical gremlins haunted several teams: Daniel Ricciardo faced floor damage, Logan Sargeant’s Williams suffered a suspension issue, and Fernando Alonso reported a slow puncture, underscoring the session’s chaotic undertone.

Halfway this first free practice session the top 10 order was: 1. George Russell –  1:11.865 min (M), 2. Fernando Alonso +0.750s (H), 3. Max Verstappen +0.928s (H), 4. Yuki Tsunoda +0.937s (M), 5. Sergio Pérez +1.191s (H), 6. Lewis Hamilton +1.591s (H), 7. Lando Norris +1.764s (H), 8. Charles Leclerc +1.1817s (H), 9. Nico Hulkenberg +1.834s (H) & 10. Carlos Sainz +1.905s (H).

As the wind intensity increased, Red Bull advised a cautious Verstappen, who continued on hard tyres, contrasting with several drivers’ switch to mediums in pursuit of data for race simulations. Yet, in a curious twist, some drivers, including Oscar Piastri, aborted fast laps despite promising sector times, hinting at possible strategic plays or undiagnosed car issues.

In the final analysis, the session concluded with Russell’s lap standing as a benchmark, Hamilton gearing up on mediums, and teams like McLaren left to ponder the potential repercussions of on-track tussles. FP1 at the Brazilian Grand Prix has set a tantalizing stage for a weekend of high-octane racing and strategic gambits, with all eyes now turning to the upcoming qualifying and sprint race.

The quickest sector times at Interlagos during FP1 where:

• Sector 1: 16.638 sec. by Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60 #81.
• Sector 2: 36.514 sec. by Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60 #81.
• Sector 3: 16.410 sec. by Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23 #16.

Last year Sergio Pérez was quickest in FP1. The Red Bull driver then clocked a 1:11,853 min on Soft Pirelli tyres.

FP1 Times Table 2023 Brazilian GP

P	No	Driver	Team	Time	1st Gap	Laps	Tyres
1	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:11,732		30	S
2	55	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	1:11,840	+0,108s	32	M
3	63	George Russell	Mercedes	1:11,865	+0,133s	31	M
4	27	Nico Hülkenberg	Haas	1:11,928	+0,196s	19	S
5	23	Alex Albon	Williams	1:12,044	+0,312s	28	S
6	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	1:12,136	+0,404s	26	M
7	10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	1:12,184	+0,452s	31	M
8	24	Zhou Guanyu	Alfa Romeo	1:12,481	+0,749s	27	S
9	2	Logan Sargeant	Williams	1:12,579	+0,847s	30	S
10	20	Kevin Magnussen	Haas	1:12,592	+0,860s	24	S
11	14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	1:12,615	+0,883s	28	H
12	44	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1:12,638	+0,906s	30	M
13	22	Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri	1:12,714	+0,982s	29	M
14	3	Daniel Ricciardo	AlphaTauri	1:12,778	+1,046s	27	M
15	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	1:12,779	+1,047s	30	M
16	1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:12,793	+1,061s	30	H
17	77	Valtteri Bottas	Alfa Romeo	1:13,012	+1,280s	31	M
18	11	Sergio Pérez	Red Bull	1:13,056	+1,324s	31	H
19	4	Lando Norris	McLaren	1:13,629	+1,897s	25	H
20	81	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	1:13,838	+2,106s	28	H

 Check out our 2023 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix preview.

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