Norris takes pole in rain-delayed qualifying
McLaren's Lando Norris took pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a wet qualifying session at Interlagos, delayed by nearly an hour and a half due to heavy rain. Norris beat fellow Briton George Russell by 0.204 seconds. Russell expressed his frustration, stating he could have been faster had he not been advised by his engineer to abort a faster lap before the rain intensified.
Russell faces a five-place grid penalty for exceeding his permitted number of engine parts, promoting team-mate and new world champion Kimi Antonelli to second. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified fourth but receives a 10-place grid penalty, moving Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson to third.
The wet conditions benefited several drivers, including Nico Hulkenberg (Audi), who qualified sixth, Oliver Bearman (Haas), eighth, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), ninth, and Alex Albon (Williams), who will start right behind Alonso. McLaren's Oscar Piastri, eliminated in Q2, starts 10th due to penalties, while Brazilian Rafael Camara, making his F1 debut, lines up 11th despite a crash in the second session.
Hamilton & Verstappen to start from back in Brazil
The session, initially scheduled for 15:00 local time, was stopped due to dangerous conditions. Bearman described the wet conditions as the "wettest... ever" for a race car. It resumed an hour and 26 minutes later. Max Verstappen, third in the first session, did not participate in the second as he knew he would start from the back due to engine-related penalties. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), also facing a grid penalty, took part but qualified 11th.
The rain allowed less competitive cars to shine, with Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin-Honda demonstrating improved pace. Norris, however, was the standout, securing his second pole position in a row.