F1 Brazilian GP LIVE: Practice and sprint qualifying updates as Max Verstappen handed grid penalty

Max Verstappen has been hit by a five-place grid penalty for the Brazil Grand Prix.

Red Bull put a new engine in his car ahead of the race in Sao Paulo and left the garage early in practice on Friday. The Dutch driver will hope to see results in Friday’s sprint qualifying ahead of the sprint race on Saturday.

“He’s have been third or fourth, there’s work to do,” Horner says. “This surface, it’s remarkably bumpy, but it’s getting quicker and quicker.

“It was unavoidable, we’ve taken a hit as this is a track open to overtaking. You’ve got a reaction from Austin into that race,” Horner says.

“The first one was very harsh, I understand the second one, but you see the data, Lando coming off the breaks. He breaks later than his first lap.

“I don’t think he would have been able to stay on track. The other car cannot get out of the way. When you’re on the outside, you’ll take more risk. The corner belongs to the inside line.

“It’s very difficult, it’ll change the way these guys go racing. It’s almost like the offside rule. If you’re on the outside, you’re taking more risk. The inside car taking the sharper line will take that. It’s difficult to allow a car’s width on the outside, it redefines the principals of when they go racing in go-karts.”

He’s have been third or fourth, there’s work to do,” Horner says.

“This surface, it’s remarkably bumpy, but it’s getting quicker and quicker.

“It was unavoidable, we’ve taken a hit as this is a track open to overtaking.”

Toto Wolff not in Sao Paulo, of course, he takes a week off.

Norris goes fastest in practice, then, with Russell and Bearman about two-tenths back.

Piastri, Albon, Leclerc the next drivers. Verstappen way down in 15th, but didn’t put the softs on.

And it’s more misery for Perez, too, no signs of improvement. Remember, ESPN Argentina reporting Christian Horner paying a visit to Williams hospitality, amid discussion surrounding Franco Colapinto.

Uh oh, Lewis is in a spot of bother. From bouncing about a little, the Mercedes is still causing plenty of aggravation for the former world champion.

“I’m actually in a bit of pain, mate,” says Hamilton, on his 11th lap on the mediums. “How much longer we got?”

Pete Bonnington with an update for Hamilton: “It’ll be one more lap when you cross the line.”

“That was one bumpy ride, wow,” adds Russell.

“My right elbow is getting caught on some duct tape,” Russell informs the Mercedes garage.

Now just five minutes to go… Behind Russell is Bearman in the Haas, after his late call-up.

And Norris up to third now too. Less than a tenth between the trio.

Three big hitters are testing their tyres with a long run.

All of Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris remain on the mediums, logging data around their degradation.

And with 13 minutes remaining, Lewis Hamilton is a second behind Russell, but is also yet to switch out the mediums for the soft tyres.

“I’m bouncing across the track everywhere,” shouts Hamilton on the radio, all is not well at Mercedes.

With 20 minutes to go the soft tyres are out and George Russell benefits first.

He’s quickest by almost a second and posts 1:10.791.

The speed is up at Interlagos after the track was relaid after last year’s race, with drivers more than a second faster than the corresponding session in 2023.

Max Verstappen has suffered a blow for the Brazil Grand Prix after being hit by an expected five-place grid penalty.

The Red Bull put new engine in his car ahead of the race in Sao Paulo.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko had revealed the move was likely following a disappointing weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix after finishing sixth.

Verstappen made an early move in practice on Friday in pursuit of extra data at Interlagos and will hope to see results in Sprint Qualifying later.