Lando Norris showcased remarkable skill during the Sprint Qualifying at the São Paulo Grand Prix, securing pole position. This achievement came after he outpaced Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, to clinch the top spot.
Norris Dominates Sprint Qualifying in São Paulo
Norris set a record lap time of 1 minute 09.243 seconds, which remained unmatched throughout the qualifying session. Antonelli closely followed, finishing just 0.097 seconds behind. Piastri secured third place despite strong practice performances, while George Russell rounded out the top four for Mercedes.
Top Performers of the Session
- 1st: Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:09.243
- 2nd: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 0.097 seconds behind
- 3rd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 4th: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5th: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 6th: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 7th: Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- 8th: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 9th: Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- 10th: Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber)
Fernando Alonso’s steady performance placed him fifth, sandwiching Max Verstappen in sixth. Leclerc from Ferrari secured eighth, while Hadjar and Hulkenberg completed the top ten. Notably, Lewis Hamilton failed to reach SQ3, finishing the session in 11th place, and will face investigation for a potential yellow flag violation.
Session Breakdown
The Sprint Qualifying kicked off under clear and sunny conditions, with drivers eager to claim optimal positions for the penalty Sprint. Norris began the event strong, marking the fastest time in SQ1, while several drivers faced eliminations, including Carlos Sainz, who locked up in his last run.
Eliminated in SQ1
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – P20
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) – P19
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – P18
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – P17
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – P16
Hamilton’s exit in SQ2 was equally surprising. He finished just outside the qualifying spots, contributing to a disappointing day for Ferrari.
Future Expectations
With the grid determined, all eyes will be on the Sprint event scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 local time. Teams will aim to refine their strategies to compete effectively during the race, while fans can look forward to an exciting showdown.
Norris expressed satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging the competitive nature of the session and the challenges posed by different tire strategies. His achievement marks a significant milestone as he earns his first Sprint pole of the season.
