File image of Max Verstappen.© AFP
Max Verstappen was given a five-place grid penalty for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Friday, as his world title defense hit another bump in the road. The Red Bull star was penalized for choosing to get a new engine in his car. It is his sixth of the year, exceeding the limit of four. The setback comes as his hopes of a fourth consecutive world title are steadily eroded by McLaren rival Lando Norris, who is 47 points behind in the championship with four race weekends remaining this season.
Last week in Mexico, Verstappen was given two 10-second penalties on his way to sixth place after he was punished for his aggressive driving, forcing Norris off the track twice.
On Friday, Norris topped the times for McLaren with a late fastest lap to beat Mercedes' George Russell, while Oliver Bearman, driving for Haas, ensured three Britons were top in the opening free practice.
Norris clocked a best lap in one minute and 10.610 seconds to beat Russell by 0.181, while Bearman was third, 0.191 behind, ahead of Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.
Verstappen ended up in 15th place in the second Red Bull, but had not made a flying lap in the closing minutes on soft tires.
Alex Albon was fifth for Williams, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, winners of the last two races in Texas and Mexico, while Nico Hulkenberg was eighth for Haas.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was ninth for Aston Martin after returning from treatment for a stomach flu in Europe early on Friday morning, and Pierre Gasly was tenth for Alpine.
Like Verstappen, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes failed to set a flying lap as he drove on mediums for most of the session.
He finished 16th and Sergio Perez, in the second Red Bull, was 19th for similar reasons.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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