Chaos during some training in Brazil: Ferrari duo in front – Verstappen was bluffing

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Formula 1 rushed towards qualifying for the GP do Brasil (live on TV today at 7pm CET) with the only practice in 60 minutes. Afterwards, the drivers complained about too many stones on the route. Only in the final seconds did both Ferraris rev up their engines: Sainz 0.108 ahead of Leclerc.

A year ago, Mercedes’ last great hour came here at the 4,309km Interlagos circuit: George Russell won the sprint and the Grand Prix. And this week it was announced that former head of technology Mike Elliott (49) had to go to Austin.

Who needs Mercedes knowledge?

The Englishman has worked at the Brackley factory since 2012, but after a weak start to the season with the current W14 he was relegated to second place behind James Allison. It is not yet known where Elliott will go. But the new team must wait at least six months for their services – they are not allowed to work.

Looking for two runners-up

Mercedes, which has been on the rise for several races, wants to defend its 22-point lead over Ferrari in the last three races and Saturday’s sprint. This second title is a matter of honor even for the super ambitious Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

The battle for second place in the World Championship is even fiercer among the drivers. The disappointing Mexican Pérez is only 20 points ahead of Hamilton. Neither survived a starting crash in the last three races. Hamilton was also disqualified from second place in Austin due to a crash barrier that was too thin for the bottom.

Red Bull at the front and then at the back

Well, in the only training at 30 degrees at an altitude of 800 meters, Red Bull-Honda with Verstappen and Pérez immediately took over command from the Mercedes duo Russell and Hamilton.

But then the entire field’s test paths diverged. Some pushed, the others tested the tires for Sunday’s race (live on TV from 6 p.m.).

Alfa-Sauber surprise bag

Alfa-Sauber appears as a surprise on Friday (but this time only one training session): 8th Zhou, 17th Bottas. We are eagerly awaiting the GP qualifying in a few hours. A week ago, the Hinwil team surprised themselves in Mexico by reaching the top ten final: 9th Bottas, 10th Zhou. There were no World Cup points.

Mercedes-Russell is chasing second pole

So who will take the 20th pole position in 2023? So far, Verstappen has been in the top ten times. Then Leclerc (4), Sainz and Pérez (2 each) and Hamilton (1). Another candidate is Russell, who won his only pole to date in Hungary last year.

In the only free practice, the Briton ended up just behind the Ferrari duo, who only struck in the closing seconds. Like a week ago in Mexico, when Leclerc and Sainz started at the front. But at the finish there was another disappointment for the Reds.

Haas and Aston Martin shine

Interesting how the new World Cup sub-team Haas-Ferrari suddenly makes people sit up and take notice. Both drivers have pole experience at Interlagos: Hülkenberg in 2010 on a Williams-Cosworth and Magnussen a year ago in the sprint elimination!

But Aston Martin-Mercedes, which has denied all sales rumors, also experienced reasonable training minutes again: 6th Stroll. 11. Alonso.

The results of the 1st training

Source : Blick