The sky was very threatening over Interlagos at the start of the qualifying session, but the track was dry for Q1. The drivers quickly took to the track. However, as it took time to materialize, this left an opportunity for those fighting to advance to Q2 to make a third attempt, although it was still disrupted by some rain.<\/p>\n
Esteban Ocon was able to save himself by just five thousandths of a second, just ahead of Carlos Sainz’s Renault. However, Sergey Sirotkin managed to deliver a nice surprise, with 13th place while Lance Stroll couldn’t do better than 19th, between the two McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.<\/p>\n
It was surprising to see Max Verstappen take the best lap of the session while Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen and Sebastian Vettel recorded exactly the same time, to the benefit of the Finn.<\/p>\n
The eliminated are: Sainz, Hartley, Alonso, Stroll, and Vandoorne.<\/b><\/p>\n
At the green light, everyone rushes onto the track, even though the Mercedes drivers waited a few seconds longer than their rivals. The entire field has chosen to use the softest tires, the Super Softs. But Ferrari is attempting an alternate strategy by bringing in Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen and Sebastian Vettel at the end of the formation lap to switch to the yellow tires, the Softs.<\/p>\n
The strategy seems to be working since the German positioned himself in second place, just 49 thousandths behind Valtteri Bottas, with the Finn in 5th, three tenths behind. The Red Bulls and the Mercedes then tried a stint on softs, but the final part was flooded, and they were unable to improve.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton made two significant errors in front of Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen and Sergey Sirotkin. He could therefore be penalized by the Brazilian stewards, but it was Sebastian Vettel who was summoned by the stewards for damaging the FIA scales during the mandatory weigh-in. Incomprehensible….<\/p>\n
\nClose shave between Hamilton and Sirotkin #BrazilGP<\/a> \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7 #F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/E1oD7gnTW5<\/a><\/p>\n