Five days after clinching the world championship, Kimi Antonelli proved he's not coasting to the finish. The Mercedes driver topped Friday practice at Interlagos while Ferrari endured its worst Friday of the season, finishing sixth and seventh with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc called it "very, very difficult" and said the car felt "probably one of the worst Friday feelings of the season." Ferrari, fastest in practice at three of the past four races, couldn't crack the top five for the first time all year. Leclerc blamed corner grip more than straight-line speed, a rare weakness for the Scuderia.
McLaren's Brazil upgrade package—led by a new front wing—delivered second and fifth for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris admitted they're still two-tenths off Antonelli's pace but felt encouraged the new wing is taming the car's edginess.
Antonelli's dominant form heading into the final rounds signals he's hunting wins, not just riding out the title.
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