Lewis Hamilton will start in first place for tomorrow’s sprint race after finishing fastest in qualifying..
But the Brit will start Sunday’s race in Brazil no higher than sixth after receiving a five-place grid penalty for replacing his internal combustion engine for the second time this season.
And things may even get worse for Hamilton, with the seven-time world champ facing a possible disqualification if his DRS flap is adjudged to have opened more than the maximum permitted 85 millimetres.
- TODAY: Practice 1: 3.30pm/ Qualifying: 7pm (GMT)
- SATURDAY: Practice 2: 3pm/ Sprint Race: 7pm
- SUNDAY: Race: 5pm
- TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Formula 1
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
LEW WHAT?
Lewis Hamilton could find himself in a spot of bother after his car was reported to stewards for a ‘technical infringement’.
The Mercedes star qualified for tomorrow’s sprint with the fastest time in Sao Paulo.
But a supposed issue was detected in his DRS system.
The FIA’s technical delegate Jo Bauer wrote: “The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car number 44 for compliance with Article 3.6.3 of the 2021 Formula One Technical Regulations. The requirement for the minimum distance was fulfilled.
“But the requirement for the maximum of 85mm, when the DRS system is deployed and tested in accordance with TD/011-19, were not fulfilled.”
Hamilton already has a five-grid penalty for Sunday’s race after taking a new engine.
A Mercedes rep on site was was called to meet with stewards.
SPRINT TO THE FINISH
It’s time for the final sprint of the 2021 season tomorrow, and this is how the field line up on the grid.
What do you reckon, F1 fans?
QUALIFYING REPORT
Words here from SunSport’s George Boulton…
LEWIS HAMILTON stunned Red Bull with his monstrous speed as he will start ahead of Max Verstappen in sprint qualifying on Saturday.
Hamilton’s fresh Mercedes engine saw him beat Verstappen by a commanding 0.4 seconds.
The Brit will be out to score a maximum of three points in today’s sprint qualifying as he looks to claw back the 19-point deficit in the championship.
Hamilton’s five-place engine penalty will not affect sprint qualifying meaning he will fight his title rival on the front row in the sprint before dropping back down the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.
Hamilton said: “I’m so happy to be back here in Brazil. That’s the first pole in a long time.
“A big, big thank you to all the team because they’ve been working flat out. It’s been so hard coming from the last race for everyone.
“Today was a really good qualifying session. I’m really happy with it. We’ve got the penalty tomorrow but we will give it everything we’ve got.”
Verstappen crucially managed to split the Mercedes’ as Valterri Bottas will start third, which gives Red Bull a fighting chance for Saturday’s sprint.
The F1 title leader said: “Naturally when they take a new engine they have more power for the weekend.
“For me it’s not a big shock, I am just happy to be second, that’s a good position to start from.
“Of course you want to be closer but sometimes you just have to be realistic and there was not much more in it.”
Lewis Hamilton crushed Friday qualifying to get pole for the sprint in BrazilCredit: Getty Max Verstappen was not too disappointed to come in second ahead of the weekendCredit: Getty
‘NOWHERE NEAR’
On the 0.4-second advantage over Verstappen, he added: “I’m not sure it will translate to the race.
“I have been going from P3 trying to make the right changes, the anxiety is crazy. Most of the time I get it wrong, today I got it right and we had purple, purple, purple.
“I don’t know how they can go 0.5 ahead to 0.4 behind.”
Asked if Mercedes have got Red Bull rattled, Hamilton said: “No, I’m nowhere near him.”
MORE FROM LEWIS
Here’s what Hamilton had to say to Sky Sports: “I loved today for sure. We’re working so hard to get this car right.
“It’s been real tough to finally get it feeling as it s today, it is testament to the work done in the garage and back home.
“The last two poles I’ve had I’ve had a penalty. I found out yesterday, I trust the team’s judgement.”
HORNER HAPPY
Christian Horner is clearly not too disappointed with today’s performance from his team.
He keeps his cards close to his chest but second behind Hamilton in the Sprint is enough for pole come Sunday.
Horner said: “We saw from this morning that Lewis was very, very strong. That fresh engine is obviously pumping out some horsepower for them.
“I think second was the best we could hope for. To be up there on the front row, we’re okay with that.”
‘REALLY HAPPY’
Here’s what the seven-time champ had to say: “I’m so happy to be back here in Brazil.
“That’s the first pole in a long time.
“A big, big thank you to all the team because they’ve been working flat out. It’s been so hard coming from the last race for everyone.
“Today was a really good qualifying session. I’m really happy with it.
“We’ve got the penalty tomorrow but we give it everything we’ve got.”
BITTERSWEET
Hamilton secures his first qualifying win since Hungary way back in August.
The irony is that it doesn’t secure a race pole… but a Sprint pole.
And even if he wins the Sprint, the Brit is getting a five-place grid penalty on Sunday.
‘NOT A BIG SHOCK’
Here’s what Verstappen had to say on Friday’s qualifying then…
Max said: “When Mercedes take a new engine, naturally they have a bit more power for the weekend.
“For me it’s not a big shock. I’m just happy to be second.
“It’s a good position to start from, of course you always want to be closer but sometimes you have to be realistic and there was not much more in it.”
FINAL STANDINGS
To confirm, then, this is how the top ten will line up for the Sprint:
1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
7) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
8) Lando Norris, McLaren
9) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
10) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
‘LET’S GO’
A simple message from a jubilant Lewis Hamilton.
He is buzzing, shouting: “Let’s go!” down the microphone to his team.
A friendly fist bump between Max and Lewis.
LEWIS WINS QUALIFYING
Verstappen is struggling a bit here through his final lap.
Hamilton is cruising to winning qualifying – the Brit is flying.
And he nails a 1:07.934.
Neither Bottas nor Verstappen can get close, both 0.4 seconds behind.
But the good news for Red Bull is that Verstappen is second ahead of Bottas – just about keeping within the race limits.
TWO MINUTES TO GO
The drivers have popped back into the pits.
But they are back out again for the final laps.
Can Verstappen pip Hamilton?
MAKE IT VER-STOP
“Front tyres are overheating. Front tyre completely done.”
That’s the message from Max Verstappen and he does not sound too happy.
Not great news for the Dutchman…
HAMILTON QUICKEST
Hamilton nails a 1:08.107 to go top with Bottas 0.362 seconds behind him in second.
But Verstappen turns on the pace – and he gets in between the pair.
That could be crucial in separating the team-mates for the Sprint.
Hamilton has the quickest of all three sectors so far.
HAMILTON AWAY
Here goes Hamilton, then.
He is putting the pedal to the floor on his quest to finish qualifying on top.
Sainz and Alonso both go quicker than Leclerc.
RIVALS RETURN
Verstappen comes out behind Bottas, who follows Hamilton.
It’s all very slow and pedestrian at the moment.
Leclerc is the only one going for it – and he could catch the rest of the pack.
Q3 UNDERWAY
The final part of qualifying is underway in Sao Paulo.
Again, the cars are holding fire for now as they want to maximise performance over the next ten minutes.
HORNER REFLECTS
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has had his say on the current state of affairs.
Here is what he told Sky Sports: “It’s a big margin to Lewis at the moment.
“He had a good tow on that last lap so that was probably optimum, but that’s going to be very, very tough to beat in Q3.
“We’re seeing a significant straight-line speed performance and they’re obviously delivering a very good lap time.
“Over a single lap I think that will be very tough to beat…
“I think if we can get a car on the front row for the Sprint, right here and now I’d probably take that.”
Q2 OVER
Hamilton goes fastest with a 1:08.068 followed by Bottas 0.358 seconds behind and Verstappen third.
Mercedes, surprising, have the Red Bulls on toast for pace at the moment.
The five eliminated are Esteban Ocon, Sebastian Vettel, Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi.
ALONSO ON EDGE
Fernando Alonso is in ninth – and stays ninth.
But will he be caught with those behind him on their final lap of Q2…?
THREE MINS LEFT
Three minutes to go in Q2.
It is currently Hamilton followed by Verstappen, Bottas, Gasly and Leclerc.
Vettel among those currently in the bottom five of this 15.
MORE LIKE IT LEWIS
And when he does get through the line, it is a 1:08.386 for Hamilton.
That takes him to the top of the tree for now.
GAME. ON.
MAX POWER
That’s much better from Max Verstappen.
He flies around to complete a circuit in 1:08.567 and that is easily the fastest time of this qualifying.
Gasly currently second with Leclerc third and Bottas fourth.
Hamilton yet to register a time on the board.
HAM SLAM
1:08.659 for Hamilton which is the quickest lap…
But then it gets deleted – he too went over the limit at turn 4.
He will need to go again to start at the front of the Sprint race.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
