F1 Full Results | Max Verstappen lays marker down in São Paulo GP FP3

Verstappen's lap time of 1:11.622 was enough to beat Antonelli to top spot by just 0.025s at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, with Lando Norris rounding out the top three going into Qualifying later on Saturday.

With the threat of rain, drivers were unusually quick to get on track during the weekend's last practice session, as Antonelli went top after just 11 minutes of running. It was not a simple start for the new world champion, however, with Antonelli reporting steering wheel issues on his W17.

It was a tricky start to the session for most at Interlagos, with multiple drivers reporting a lack of grip. Verstappen reported further problems with his own steering after similar issues during Friday's action, while Lewis Hamilton complained about engine vibrations.

Things got even worse for the Ferrari driver with 25 minutes to go. Despite his and Charles Leclerc's SF-26 having just been fitted with a new ICE, Hamilton pitted an unhealthy sounding Ferrari after reporting smoke in his cockpit and was quickly out of the car for the rest of the session. The Scuderia duo join Verstappen, George Russell and Sergio Perez as those with an engine penalty for Sunday's race.

With 20 minutes to go, Antonelli's 1:12.209 kept him ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, but the soft tyres were bolted on for the Qualifying sims. After the soft tyre runs, Verstappen pipped the young Italian to P1 by just 0.025s, with Norris finishing in third.

On Friday, Norris set the fastest time in FP1 in a newly-upgraded McLaren, with the British squad the only team to bring an upgrade package to Brazil this weekend.

Later that afternoon, Norris missed out on top spot to Antonelli in the second practice session, finishing two tenths behind F1’s new Drivers’ champion, but 0.006s ahead of Red Bull’s Verstappen.