FP1: Albon fastest before crashing out in wet first session

F1 Grand Prix, GP Brazil, Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos

The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend started wet, meaning that the green lettered intermediate tyre was the one to be on during the entire session, which was topped by Red Bull driver Alexander Albon.

The rain made the session largely irrelevant, especially in the first half hour, when full wets were required to keep the cars on track. It made for a very quiet start to the session. In fact, even while conditions improved after that, Grosjean, Perez, Verstappen and Hamilton didn't even bother to set a timed lap. They limited themselves to some disovery runs.

As such, it was Albon who could ace the session, though it ended a bit sour for him as he parked his Red Bull RB15 in the wall close to the end of the session. With little time left, his minor crash caused a red flag that was immediately the end of the 90-minute FP1.

Valtteri Bottas was second fastest, topping the Ferraris in third and fourth.

Some drivers attempted to get into the spotlight by fitting slicks in the closing stages of the session, but there was the necessary reality check when Verstappen, and then Kvyat spun at Turn 2. It was for the same reason that Albon effectively ended the session in the tyre barriers.