The Brit breezed through the day, taking the first two sessions and then, without challenge, the final one. It was Hamilton’s first pole since August when he took the pole in Hungary.
SAO PAULO, Brazil—Lewis Hamilton dominated the Friday practice and qualifying sessions in advance of the final sprint race of the year, which will take place on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The Brit posted the quickest time of 1:07:934 ahead of rival Max Verstappen and teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Despite the win, a cloud hangs over Hamilton’s head. Officials may levy a five-grid penalty for an infringement pertaining to the rear wing of Hamilton’s car. The drama continued when stewards called in Verstappen to announce that he is under investigation for potentially violating the sporting code. Both matters will be adjudicated in advance of Saturday’s sprint race.
Back on the track, Sergio Perez finished his Red Bull in fourth, while the second Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly was fifth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. were sixth and seventh, respectively, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo took eighth and ninth. Fernando Alonso (in the other Alpine) finished in tenth.
Lewis Hamilton: I am super happy with it. We have the penalty, but we gave it everything we’ve got.”
No satisfaction was the feeling of the day for other drivers. Canadians Lance Stroll and Nickolas Latifi, Latifi’s Williams teammate George Russell, and the Haas pair of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, all were out in the first round. Mazepin left in tears after the Russian thought that he could move up the grid. But a last-minute mistake caused him to stay last on the grid again.
Disappointment also came for Esteban Ocon of Alpine, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel, Alpha Tauri’s Yuki Tsunoda, and the Alfa Romeo pair of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi. That’s because they all joined this group being eliminated in the second qualifying round.
Saturday’s Sprint Qualifying will be televised by ESPN NEWS at 2:30p Eastern time.
