MOTORSPORT – Mclaren’s Formula One leader Lando Norris seized the moment as his title rivals stumbled yesterday to put himself on course for a big leap in the championship battle.
After winning the Sao Paulo sprint to go nine points clear of teammate Oscar Piastri who crashed, the Briton got back on track to seize a brilliant pole position for today’s main grand prix at Interlagos.
Australian Piastri, his closest rival, qualified fourth.
Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen, third overall in the standings but now 39 points behind, will line up 16th after his worst qualifying in nearly four years.
Mercedes’ 19-year-old Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli joined Norris on the front row with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualifying third.
“I think it’s going to be a big challenge tomorrow. We have to see what the weather is going to do again,” said Norris.
“So far this weekend has been clean, so I’m hoping they (Antonelli and Leclerc) don’t ruin it.”
Piastri had been on provisional pole following the first flying laps in the final phase of qualifying, with Norris only 10th after locking up into turn one.
With the pressure all on him, and one lap to pull something out of the bag, Norris produced the perfect response to go top with a lap of one minute 09.511 seconds.
Antonelli was 0.174 slower, pushing Leclerc and Piastri down the order.
“A bit disappointing with the result but the car has looked quick this weekend, especially over a longer run, so hopefully I can take advantage of that tomorrow,” said Piastri.
French rookie Isack Hadjar was an impressive fifth, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Racing Bulls’ teammate Liam Lawson.
Oliver Bearman qualified eighth fastest for Haas, ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in ninth and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg rounding out a surprising top 10 with some of the usual frontrunners misfiring.
Verstappen won from 17th on the grid at Interlagos last year but his comments suggested a repeat was unlikely.
Teammate Yuki Tsunoda qualified 19th, ahead only of Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who crashed in the sprint and was unable to take part in the session as Sauber worked to rebuild his car.
Ferrari’s seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton caused another shock when he went out in the second phase, qualifying 13th and struggling for rear grip.
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