F1: Antonelli dominates free practice in Brazil, still tensions at Ferrari
The Italian driver shines in Sao Paulo, while the Briton accuses the Monegasque of being more aggressive with his teammates
Quick Look
- Kimi Antonelli sets the best time in the second free practice of the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.
- What matters is the clash at Ferrari between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the accident in Mexico.
- Norris was the fastest in the first free practice.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Kimi Antonelli is competing in his first track race as world champion in Brazil, the land of his idol Ayrton Senna. Lewis Hamilton is still bothered by an accident caused by Charles Leclerc at the start of the Mexican Grand Prix last week. Leclerc skipped the press meeting to be at the side of his wife Alexandra, who has just given birth to their daughter Bianca.
At Interlagos the spotlight is obviously all on Kimi Antonelli who in Brazil, the land of his idol Ayrton Senna, is on the track for the first time as world champion. And the Italian golden boy did not disappoint expectations by setting the best time in the second free practice sessions on the asphalt of San Paolo. But in Brazil the clash at Ferrari between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is also still at the forefront. The English champion has not yet gotten over his anger over the accident caused to him by his teammate at the start of the Mexican Grand Prix last week and, as soon as he arrived in Sao Paulo, he returned to the topic, saying he was "obviously annoyed".
The Brit accuses the Monegasque of being more aggressive with his Ferrari teammates than he would be towards his competitors. "If you look at his teammates - he explains - it was the same with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz". In short, there has not yet been a real clarification between the two after Mexico. Leclerc, for his part, skipped the meeting with the press as he stayed an extra day in Europe to be at the side of his wife Alexandra who recently gave birth to their daughter Bianca. Replacing him for the first free practice was test driver Dino Beganovic. Ferrari is silent, perhaps to avoid further fueling the fire of controversy. Team principal Fred Vasseur, who arrived in Maranello in 2023, appeared disarmed in the face of the war between his two drivers: in Mexico he raised his voice demanding "respect for the 2,000 people who work" on the red F1 cars.
The circus also takes a stand. Former driver Ralf Schumacher, consultant for Sky Sports Germany, attacked Hamilton: "You don't ask for a penalty on the radio against your teammate" - he said, accusing the Briton of "talking like Al Capone, when he threatens 'We have big problems' in the garage". Meanwhile, in view of Sunday's grand prix, the teams are testing the setups in free practice. The fastest in the first free practices was Lando Norris with a McLaren that appeared at ease on the Brazilian asphalt with the Ferraris giving sensations positive. In the second free practice behind Antonelli, Norris set the fastest time ahead of Max Verstappen's Red Bull and George Russell's second Mercedes. Hamilton Ferrari's Ferrari is sixth ahead of his teammate Leclerc. The weather conditions will be decisive for Sunday with sudden changes in the asphalt temperatures which will therefore affect the grip of the tyres Ayrton Senna, while Ferrari must demonstrate that they are stronger even than internal tensions.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The weather conditions with rain expected for Sunday will influence the race strategy and tire choice
Very likely · Within days
The tensions between Hamilton and Leclerc at Ferrari will continue to be a central theme until Sunday's race
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will there be a clarification between Hamilton and Leclerc before Sunday's race?
- What effects will the forecast rain have on the race strategy?
- Will Ferrari take steps to manage the internal tensions between the two drivers?
