Stroll Overtakes Verstappen on Brazilian GP Grid
The Aston Martin driver passed the Red Bull during launch practice at the end of Friday's first free practice session at Interlagos.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Motorsports
Lance Stroll moved past Max Verstappen on the grid at the end of Friday's FP1 at Interlagos, ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Verstappen slowed before the grid to spin his rear wheels and warm his tires when Stroll's Aston Martin appeared on his right.
Why it matters
Grid positioning at the end of practice carries no official order, but the move drew attention because drivers are expected to respect one another on the circuit under an unwritten code of conduct. The incident also highlights how close quarters during launch practice can produce unexpected situations for teams and drivers.
The move took place during launch practice, when drivers have no grid order at the end of a session and must use the closest grid slot to the front on their chosen side. Verstappen's team told him over the radio that they were unsure what Stroll was doing, and the moment was shown several times in worldwide TV replays.
The players
Lance Stroll
Canadian Formula One driver for Aston Martin who made the move past Verstappen during launch practice.
Max Verstappen
Dutch Formula One driver for Red Bull Racing, a four-time world champion known for his aggressive driving style.
Tom Hart
Race engineer for Max Verstappen who responded to the radio call about Stroll's move.
The details
Verstappen slowed before reaching the grid to spin his rear wheels and put heat into the tires for more grip off the line. Stroll passed to the right of the Red Bull while Verstappen was preparing to launch, prompting Verstappen to say over the radio, "What is that Aston doing. He's just overtaking." His race engineer Tom Hart replied, "Yeah, saw that Max, not sure what he's up to."
Timeline
Friday: FP1 at Interlagos, during which Stroll overtook Verstappen on the grid.
Season Trajectory
Formula One's written regulations and unwritten code of conduct govern how drivers position themselves during launch practice at the end of sessions. Incidents like this one show where those informal norms are tested between teams competing for every advantage in a close championship.
The episode shows that grid order at the end of a practice session carries no official weight, which affects how fans should read headlines about positioning. Viewers following the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend can expect the grid to be set by qualifying results rather than by moves made during practice.
The takeaway
Launch practice can reveal tactical moves that look like overtakes but serve tire-warming purposes, so fans should weigh the context of session incidents before drawing conclusions. The episode underscores how informal driver conduct rules remain central to the sport.
Further reading
For more on how drivers and teams approach the sport, explore our Motorsports coverage.
