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Max tops Interlagos FP1

Published on 09 November 2018 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen was quickest in the opening session of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver lapped the Interlagos circuit faster than Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Max’ team mate, Daniel Ricciardo, had to settle for fourth.

The Australian, who has been given another grid penalty ahead of Sunday’s race, was the first driver out on track. He was joined by a couple of Friday practice drivers: Antonio Giovinazzi, replacing Marcus Ericsson at Sauber; Lando Norris, instead of Fernando Alonso, at Mclaren; and Force India running Nicolas Latifi in place of Esteban Ocon.

Max Verstappen fans have to wait a while to see their star man on track. Half an hour into FP1, the Dutchman completes his first timed lap of the morning. Max is near the front from the get go as his first effort earns him P2 before continually bettering his lap times. Nevertheless, it is not enough to be quickest at the halfway mark. Instead, Lewis Hamilton is marginally quicker than the RBR ace.

Around the hour mark, Max heads out on the Pirelli super-soft tyres. His first timed lap on this new set is ultimately the quickest lap of the entire session.

In the closing stages, most drivers opt for long runs on used tyres, resulting in Max’ quickest effort not being beaten, meaning the youngster starts his Brazilian GP weekend well.

Brazilian GP contest: win a Red Bull Racing team shirt!

Results first free practice Brazil:

posdriverteamtimelaps
1Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing TAG Heuer1:09.011
2Sebastian VettelVETFerrari1:09.060+0.049s
3Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:09.107+0.096s
4Daniel RicciardoRICRed Bull Racing TAG Heuer1:09.395+0.384s
5Kimi RäikkönenRAIFerrari1:09.573+0.562s
6Valteri BottasBOTMercedes1:09.679+0.668s
7Romain GrosjeanGROHaas Ferrari1:09.922+0.911s
8Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:10.236+1.225s
9Charles LeclercLECSauber Ferrari1:10.346+1.335s
10Esteban OconOCOForce India Mercedes1:10.361+1.350s
11Carlos SainzSAIRenault1:10.662+1.651s
12Nico HulkenbergHULRenault1:10.679+1.668s
13Antonio GiovinazziGIOSauber Ferrari1:10.685+1.674s
14Lance StrollSTRWilliams Mercedes1:10.799+1.788s
15Pierre GaslyGASScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:10.934+1.923s
16Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Renault1:11.013+2.002s
17Sergey SirotkinSIRWilliams Mercedes1:11.037+2.026s
18Brendon HartleyHARScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:11.176+2.165s
19Stoffel VandoorneVANMcLaren Renault1:11.452+2.441s
20Nicholas LatifiLATForce India Mercedes1:11.493+2.482s