News in from the FIA and Verstappen's engine penalty has been officially confirmed.
F1's governing body's power unit document has landed and reveals Verstappen is using a new internal combustion engine. That is his sixth of the season and means he will serve a five-place grid drop at Interlagos this weekend.
Verstappen goes quickest of all with a 1:11.712s on medium tyres. He's just 0.092s faster than Russell and three-tenths faster than Red Bull teammate Perez.
The reigning world champion is set to use a new internal combustion engine this weekend. That would trigger a five-place grid drop due to him already using his permitted allocation of engines this year.
Verstappen was asked about a potential power unit change ahead of the weekend and said: "I haven't heard anything yet. I know I will have to take one at some point, so we'll see."
Earlier this week, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko appeared to confirm Verstappen would be taking a grid penalty in Brazil.
Perez - who is running a new chassis - sets the early pace for Red Bull.
He's a couple of tenths up on Mercedes' Russell after 10 minutes.
FP1 - and the only practice session of the Brazil weekend - is go!
Aston Martin have confirmed Fernando Alonso is back in the Brazil paddock and fit to drive today.
The Spaniard was absent from Thursday's media day after his travel plans were delayed after receiving treatment in Europe for an "intestinal infection" he suffered with in the lead up to last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix.
Kevin Magnussen has been ruled out of Friday’s running at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix due to sickness.
Ollie Bearman has got the short-notice call-up to replace him in the Haas in Brazil.
There is not yet any confirmation of whether Magnussen will be able to return on Saturday.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is a sprint weekend meaning Bearman's duties on Friday will not follow the traditional routine.
He will first drive in a practice session, then in sprint qualifying. And because of his involvement in sprint qualifying, Bearman will drive for Haas in Saturday's sprint race too.
Hello and welcome to Crash.net's live coverage of the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Friday's action kicks off with an hour of practice at 14:30 GMT, before sprint qualifying takes place at 18:30.
