Hulk smash in Brazil; Ricciardo left on his own
Nico Hulkenberg: Smash in Brazil
Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo, the 2019 driver line-up at Renault, made the early headlines in Brazil.
Here is how the first day of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend unfolded…
FP1 gave a handful of reserve drivers an opportunity to add to their Formula 1 experience…
FP1 DRIVER SHUFFLE 🔀
We've got a handful of FP1 swaps taking place in Sao Paulo
Norris 🔁 Alonso
Latifi 🔁 Perez
Giovinazzi 🔁 Ericsson#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/4Me6v5nyY7— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
Meanwhile, the dark clouds have followed Daniel Ricciardo to Brazil, with the FIA confirming a five-place grid drop is coming his way after a new turbocharger was fitted.
Ricciardo was eager, very eager to be first in the pit lane exit queue, just in case anyone else had some penalties coming their way. Nobody else joined him until the light went green…
There's being early, and then there's @danielricciardo starting FP1… 😜#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/TNT7vPt5lx
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
30 minutes into FP1, it was a familiar pecking order at the top of the timesheet – Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull.
FP1 CLASSIFICATION (30/90 MINS)
A third of the way through the session, we've got a Fast Finn on top#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/GKumpkPkxZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
But, at the halfway stage, it was a certain five-time World Champion back in P1 with a 1:09.423 on supersoft tyres.
Team-mate, Bottas, though, was forced to play a waiting game as Mercedes fixed an oil leak on his car.
Further down the pecking order, Kevin Magnussen’s FP1 session ended early after ruining his set of supersoft compounds.
Smokin' sideways action for Magnussen 😯#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/P2rOjNRKoe
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
The oil leak on Bottas’ car did not turn into any major drama after quick work from the mechanics.
Top effort from the boys! 💪 VB back out on track with 20 minutes left on the clock in #FP1!
W09 looking splendid as she rolls out into the sunshine ❤️#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/u73CytGF6t
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) November 9, 2018
Back at the top of the timesheet, Verstappen was able to knock Hamilton off top spot – but there was very little separating the top three in Brazil.
Max Verstappen picks up where he left off in Mexico – P1!
There's little to choose between the top three… close weekend coming up? 🤔#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/0kDfzAB2Sr
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
During the break between sessions, Haas confirmed the Fittipaldi name will be returning to Formula 1 next season.
NEWS: @PiFitti Confirmed as Haas F1 Team 2019 Test Driver.
📰: https://t.co/a8mskEgZOG pic.twitter.com/g4N6TqeAPp
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) November 9, 2018
Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Antonio Giovinazzi were all back in their race seats in FP2. The former a rather bored-looking spectator in FP1.
I'm a two-time Formula 1 World Champion…get me out of here! #F1 pic.twitter.com/AvNSuxJLjG
— Planet F1 (@Planet_F1) November 9, 2018
They were not able to get into an early rhythm in Brazil, as Nico Hulkenberg smashed into the barrier at Turn 13.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩@HulkHulkenberg into the barriers at Turn 13#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/oy7YT4MeB3
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
Similar to FP1, less than a tenth separated the top three after the qualifying simulation runs – but it was a new face heading the trio.
L👀k how close the @MercedesAMGF1 boys are (50/90 mins) #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/1FwadkK15U
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 9, 2018
Follow all the action from the Brazilian Grand Prix with the PlanetF1 race hub.
