McLaren shows power in Brazil with a double in the sprint classification

A coup of authority from McLaren to start the weekend of the 21st round of the Formula 1 World Championship in Brazil. The papaya have once again confirmed their dominance after two races (Austin and Mexico) in which Ferrari took away their status as the best car on the grid.

On this occasion, also after two events on the calendar in which he was less successful than usual, it was Oscar Piastri who took the best time and beat his teammate Lando Norris, with whom he will form the first line of the grid for the sprint on Saturday (3:00 p.m.). The Australian stopped the time at 1m08s899, while the Englishman was just 29 thousandths behind the driver on the other side of his garage. After the first push, Lando had the best time, but he picked up in the second and Piastri took the lead on the Sao Paulo track.

This double from Woking can serve to widen the gap in the Constructors’ World Championship with Ferrari, which has managed to get closer to McLaren in the standings. It can also help Lando Norris in his particular fight with Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship, since this time he also has his teammate ahead of the Dutchman, who was fourth, three tenths behind Piastri. In addition, the Red Bull driver has changed his power unit, which is why he has been penalized five positions on the grid for Sunday.

Good opportunity for McLaren

The two Ferraris were third and fifth, while Verstappen set the fourth best time

Interspersed between the three-time world champion are the Ferraris. Charles Leclerc was third (+0.254s) and Carlos Sainz was fifth (+0.358s). The ‘top 10’ was completed by George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, Alexander Albon and Oliver Bearman. Surprising, on the other hand, was the elimination of Lewis Hamilton (11th) and Checo Pérez, who again did not advance to SQ3 and will start from thirteenth place.

For his part, Fernando Alonso could not make the cut in Q1 and could only finish sixteenth at the Interlagos circuit. The good performances in free practice 1 were only a mirage, and the classification for the sprint once again reflected the Aston Martin’s serious problems. The two AMR24s were among the last five and it seems that they are completely out of touch, already confirming themselves as the ninth car on the grid.