Newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli ended Friday fastest at Interlagos, putting Mercedes at the top of the timesheets ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. The tight margins set up an intriguing Saturday qualifying session before Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix.
São Paulo Grand Prix 2026: U.S. schedule
| Session | U.S. date | Start time (ET) | U.S. coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday, Nov. 6 | 10:30 a.m. | Apple TV |
| Practice 2 | Friday, Nov. 6 | 2:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| Practice 3 | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 9:30 a.m. | Apple TV |
| Qualifying | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 1:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
| Grand Prix | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 3:00 p.m. | Apple TV |
Antonelli leads a tightly packed top five
Antonelli set the fastest lap of Friday’s second practice with a 1:10.763 for Mercedes. Norris finished 0.253 seconds behind in his McLaren, while Verstappen was only another 0.006 seconds back in third. George Russell put the second Mercedes fourth, with Oscar Piastri completing the top five for McLaren.
The top five were covered by just 0.321 seconds, a narrow spread that suggests qualifying could be decided by small gains in the final sector, tyre preparation and traffic. Antonelli’s pace was particularly notable because the Italian arrived in Brazil as the newly crowned world champion after securing the title in Mexico.
Norris had the edge in the opening practice session, setting a 1:11.717 to finish 0.082 seconds ahead of Antonelli. Verstappen was third in FP1, meaning the three leading championship names were also at the front during both Friday sessions.
Why Interlagos can create an unpredictable weekend
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace is a 4.309-kilometre circuit with 71 laps in the Grand Prix. Its combination of the Senna S, a flowing middle sector and the uphill run toward the final corner rewards a car that is stable under braking but still has enough traction to attack on exit.
Weather is another variable. Friday’s sessions were largely dry, but rain is in the weekend forecast. A wet or mixed-condition qualifying session can change the order quickly, particularly if drivers have limited experience on the latest tyre compounds in changing conditions.
Three things to watch on Saturday
- Antonelli’s championship momentum: Mercedes has the Friday pace, but converting one-lap speed into pole position is a separate challenge.
- Norris and McLaren: Norris was fastest in FP1 and close to Antonelli in FP2. McLaren has enough pace to challenge for the front row.
- Verstappen’s response: The Red Bull driver was within three-tenths of the fastest lap in both sessions and remains firmly in the qualifying picture.
Where U.S. viewers can watch
Apple TV is the exclusive U.S. home of Formula 1 for the 2026 season. Practice, qualifying and the Grand Prix are carried through the Apple TV app, with F1 TV Premium also available to U.S. Apple TV subscribers. Confirm session availability and any free practice access in the app before each session.
More motorsport coverage
Sources
- Formula1.com: Official São Paulo Grand Prix schedule and circuit information
- Formula1.com: Official FP2 classification
- FIA: Norris tops opening practice
- Apple: U.S. Formula 1 broadcast information for 2026
Schedule updated November 6, 2026. All times shown in U.S. Eastern Time. Session times and coverage remain subject to official F1 and Apple updates.
