Ferrari struggles in Friday practice while McLaren and Alpine show promise at Brazilian GP
Ferrari fell to sixth and seventh in Friday practice at Interlagos, marking its first off-top-five finish this season, as McLaren posted the fastest time and Alpine’s Gabriele Mini impressed in midfield.
Ferrari’s performance in Friday practice at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix was its weakest of the season, with Charles Leclerc and his teammate posting sixth and seventh fastest times. Leclerc described the session as “very, very difficult” and said the car felt “strange” and “very poor” in the corners, adding that the team was losing on the straights. Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged a balance issue and noted that the car carried a heavy fuel load, but remained cautiously optimistic.
McLaren topped the first practice session and also recorded the fifth-fastest time in the second session, suggesting its new front-wing upgrade is effective. Senior racing director Randy Singh said the upgrades are “very likely” to stay on the car, while driver Lando Norris observed that the car felt “a little bit more straightforward to drive” and was only about two-tenths off Mercedes pace.
Alpine’s reserve driver Gabriele Mini impressed by setting the seventh-fastest time in FP1, outpacing his teammate. Managing director Steve Nielsen praised Mini’s performance, noting his consistency over two weekends. Mini himself said he could improve his lap by a few tenths, particularly in corners and braking zones.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli continued his strong showing, with deputy team principal Bradley Lord stating that the team remains focused on the constructors’ championship and that Antonelli is determined to finish the season on a high.
Colton Herta met the 100-km requirement for an F1 super licence by completing 31 laps in FP1, surpassing the minimum 23 timed laps needed, according to Cadillac spokesperson Marc Hynes.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto reported a solid weekend, placing eighth overall and highlighting the car’s good balance on the grippy track. However, teammate Nico Hülkenberg was unable to complete any laps due to a gearbox problem that affected the car throughout the day.
Overall, the practice sessions highlighted Ferrari’s challenges, McLaren’s promising upgrades, and notable performances from emerging drivers.