Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the final free practice session for the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli at Interlagos. The session took place on November 7, 2026, with Verstappen's Red Bull edging out the Mercedes-powered car of Antonelli in the closing minutes of FP3.
The Dutch driver's benchmark lap came as teams fine-tuned their setups for qualifying later in the day. Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, pushed Verstappen close but ultimately settled for second on the timesheets. The tight margin between the two frontrunners suggests a closely contested qualifying session could be in store.
Conditions at the São Paulo circuit were dry throughout the hour-long session, allowing drivers to build rhythm on a track that often produces unpredictable weather. Both Verstappen and Antonelli completed extensive running on soft compound tires, simulating qualifying pace ahead of the afternoon's decisive session.
