Norris Claims Pole Position for Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Verstappen Faces Shock Exit
Lando Norris secured pole position
In a dramatic qualifying session for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, setting the stage for an exciting race ahead. The McLaren driver clocked a stunning lap time of 1:09.511, while fellow title contender Max Verstappen faced a shocking early exit, finishing down in P16.
The qualifying session unfolded at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, where Norris showcased his impressive form, outpacing his rivals in the final laps. Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, initially set the pace with a quick time during Q3 but ultimately had to settle for fourth. Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes claimed P2, just 0.174 seconds behind Norris, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three.
Norris expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting the challenging track conditions. “It was tough out there with the conditions,” he said. “It was just slippery, inconsistent, but good fun. I was under a bit of pressure because I locked up on my first lap, so it was a little more stressful than I would have liked, but I stayed calm and put it all together when it mattered.”
The session began with a delay due to repairs at Turn 10, but once underway, it became clear that Verstappen would struggle. The Red Bull driver was unable to find the grip he needed, ultimately finishing in a disappointing P16 after failing to advance beyond Q1. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda also faced elimination, placing P19 after a challenging session.
Lewis Hamilton, another prominent figure in the sport, faced a similar fate, qualifying in P13. The seven-time world champion could not improve on his times and repeated his earlier misfortunes from the Sprint qualifying.
As the session progressed, it was clear that Norris was in a league of his own, consistently posting fast laps. After a brief tussle for the top spot, he regained control in Q3, solidifying his position at the front of the grid. Behind him, Antonelli and Leclerc battled for the remaining podium spots, with Piastri close behind.
The full qualifying results saw Norris leading the pack, followed by Antonelli, Leclerc, Piastri, and Racing Bulls drivers Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, who claimed fifth and seventh, respectively. Haas’ Ollie Bearman, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, and Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten.
