Hamilton reports cockpit smoke during São Paulo final practice

Thirty-five minutes into final practice for the São Paulo Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton reported over the radio that there was smoke in his Ferrari's cockpit and that he was heading back to the pits, putting his preparation for qualifying at risk.

Plumes of smoke emerged from several areas of the car as it reached its pit box. Ferrari mechanics reversed it into the garage, where Hamilton stepped out.

At that stage, a return to the track looked unlikely, leaving Hamilton in danger of missing the session's late qualifying-simulation runs.

Ferrari also gave team-mate Charles Leclerc a new ICE. Hamilton went into final practice with a new internal-combustion engine in his SF-26; the change brought a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's race.