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New champion Antonelli puts Mercedes on top, but rivals remain close

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-11-07GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Kimi Antonelli finished Friday fastest in São Paulo less than a week after winning his maiden world title. Fine margins among the top four teams leave open whether Mercedes can stay ahead.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Mercedes ended Friday’s São Paulo practice with the fastest time, set by Kimi Antonelli less than a week after he won his maiden world title.

Antonelli was 0.082 seconds behind Lando Norris in first practice before going fastest in second practice. Formula 1’s Friday debrief described the margins among the top four teams as very fine, leaving open whether Mercedes could stay ahead as the weekend progressed.

Sources 01
  1. PRIMARY SOURCECan Mercedes keep their rivals at bay in Sao Paulo?Formula 1