Verstappen tops final practice amid wave of penalties
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SAO PAULO (AP):
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the fastest time in yesterday’s final practice session at Interlagos ahead of Formula 1 champion Kimi Antonelli.
The Dutchman was 0.025 seconds quicker than the Italian, while McLaren’s Lando Norris finished third and Mercedes’ George Russell fourth.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari ended the session in 12th place, more than one second behind Verstappen.
Earlier, organisers announced that several drivers will serve grid penalties for today’s race after exceeding season limits on power-unit components. Verstappen and Ferrari teammates Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are among those affected.
Verstappen faces a cumulative 30-place grid penalty following a complete change of his power unit, while Hamilton and Leclerc each received 10-place penalties after exceeding their seasonal allocations by taking new internal combustion engines.
Russell will drop five places on the grid because of fresh engine components. Cadillac’s Sergio Pérez will also start from the back after several new elements were fitted to his car.
The starting grid for today’s race will be decided later during qualifying.
Starting near the back at Interlagos does not necessarily end a driver’s chances. Hamilton produced a memorable charge through the field in 2021, while Verstappen stormed from 17th on the grid to victory in 2024.