Six established Formula 1 drivers will not participate in the opening practice session for the São Paulo Grand Prix on Friday, November 6, 2026. Reserve drivers will take over their cars for the 90-minute Free Practice 1 session at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos. This arrangement allows teams to fulfill mandatory rookie running requirements and gather crucial data.
Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Nico Hülkenberg, and Sergio Pérez will sit out the session. Their respective teams will field development drivers Dino Beganovic, Leonardo Fornaroli, Luke Browning, Gabriele Minì, Freddie Slater, and Colton Herta.
Dino Beganovic will drive Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-26. This marks his third FP1 appearance of the 2026 season, following previous outings in Barcelona-Catalunya and Austria. The Swede, recently confirmed as a Ferrari Development and Reserve Driver from 2027, aims to familiarise himself with the Interlagos circuit and collect information for the team.
Leonardo Fornaroli will take over Piastri’s McLaren MCL40. This will be his fourth FP1 session in 2026, having previously driven in Barcelona-Catalunya, Hungary, and Mexico City. McLaren is utilising his session to evaluate new updates, including front wing, rear wing, and floor components, while also completing their final mandated rookie session.
Luke Browning is assigned Sainz’s Williams FW48. This follows his recent FP1 appearance in Mexico, where he drove Alex Albon’s car. Browning’s participation supports his simulator work by providing direct experience with the FW48’s latest package. He will have completed all four of Williams’ mandated rookie FP1 sessions this season.
Gabriele Minì will drive Gasly’s Alpine A526 for his second consecutive Grand Prix weekend appearance, having debuted in Mexico. Alpine’s objective for Minì is to build on his initial F1 session and provide data from the distinct Interlagos circuit.
Freddie Slater continues his two-event Audi programme at Interlagos, driving Hülkenberg’s R26. Slater, who finished runner-up in the 2026 Formula 3 Championship, is set to step up to FIA Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027. These FP1 sessions provide him with valuable F1 race weekend experience.
Colton Herta will replace Pérez in the Cadillac. His appearance carries the additional objective of securing the final point required for his FIA Super Licence. Herta needs to complete at least 100km of eligible running without penalty points. At the 4.309km Interlagos circuit, 24 laps will exceed this distance. An anomaly in IndyCar standings had previously caused confusion regarding his points tally.
Rafael Câmara will also be on track, but not as a practice-only substitute. Haas has confirmed Câmara will make his Formula 1 race debut at his home Grand Prix, partnering Oliver Bearman. This follows Esteban Ocon’s departure from the team’s 2026 line-up. Câmara, the current Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship leader, was announced as a full-time Haas driver for 2027.
The São Paulo Grand Prix weekend will continue with Free Practice 2 at 16:00 BRT on Friday. Saturday will feature Free Practice 3 and qualifying, followed by Sunday’s Grand Prix. Interlagos will use the conventional weekend format this year.
