Mercedes flag understeer for Russell and Antonelli in Sao Paulo

Mercedes has acknowledged that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are both dealing with understeer, a handling trait the team has not experienced much since introducing its seven-part aerodynamic upgrade at Sepang. Antonelli topped the second practice session at Interlagos with a 1:10.763, ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, while Russell was fourth fastest.

Deputy team principal Bradley Lord said the car looks competitive over longer runs, with Ferrari perhaps slightly behind, but that both drivers are still working to dial out the understeer. Conditions on Friday were changeable, with temperatures dropping below 20 degrees Celsius and light drizzle affecting tyre warm-up.

Lord was unsure how well the team now understands the operating window of the upgrade. Saturday is forecast to be warmer before temperatures fall again on race day, which he described as a useful test of how the car copes with the shifts in track temperature and balance.