Max P16 in only practice session Brazilian GP

Published on 03 November 2023 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the first and only free practice session of the Brazilian Grand Prix in sixteenth place during a session in which Oracle Red Bull Racing opted to only use the hard Pirelli tyre compound. The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc lapped the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace quickest ahead of George Russell (Mercedes).

The first driver to take to the track in FP1 is Max in the RB19. The Dutchman is quickly joined by most other cars as the teams are trying to gather as much data before possible rain interferes.

Max is also the first driver to clock a time, but soon after crossing the start-finish straight, the triple world champion notifies the team about his seat: “It’s not properly secured, but we can check that after this run.” Nevertheless, Max betters his first timed lap and stays at the top of the timing sheets in the first third of the session.

At the halfway point, Max ventures out for another run, sporting the same hard Pirellis that he used at the start of practice. He once again sets the pace, but is soon after usurped by George Russell, whose Mercedes is on the medium compound.

Meanwhile, Max is still not happy with his seat, with the mechanics having another thorough look into the issues. With twenty minutes to go, Max steers the RB19 back onto the track for another run on the hards.

With other teams opting to run the grippier tyre compounds, both Red Bulls drop down the timing sheets, ultimately finishing FP1 in P16 and P18.

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Results first free practice Brazil: