Lando Norris will start from pole position in the sprint race in São Paulo on Saturday. The world championship leader is a fraction faster in the sprint qualification than Mercedes talent Kimi Antonelli, who will be alongside him on the first starting row on Saturday. Max Verstappen records the sixth time.
In the World Championship standings, the difference between Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri is just one point. Norris’ pole therefore offers him an ideal opportunity to extend his lead over his Australian teammate, who starts from P3.
Here is a brief overview of the sprint qualification for the São Paulo GP.
SQ1: Promising Start for Verstappen, Tsunoda Out
Max Verstappen makes a promising start to the sprint qualification. Earlier in the day, he had saved the medium compound in a difficult first (and also last) free practice. He therefore makes his first meters on the medium tires in SQ1. Assisted by two slipstreams, he immediately sets the fastest time on the clock: 1.10,107.
A little later, in his second fast run at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, the four-time world champion improves again, to 1.09,975. Lando Norris is faster (1.09702). Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda does not survive the first cut. The Japanese driver only records the eighteenth time. The elimination of Carlos Sainz (Williams) is also notable.
Eliminated in SQ1: Colapinto, Lawson, Tsunoda, Ocon, and Sainz.
SQ2: Alonso Fires Up, Hamilton Exits
Home favorite Gabriel Bortoleto opens the ball in SQ2 with a decent time of 1.09,963 minutes, but his time does not stay at the top for long. In particular, Fernando Alonso fires up (1.09,330). Even Lando Norris and Oscar Piastroi in their McLarens cannot match the time of the Spaniard from Aston Martin. The same also applies to Max Verstappen (1.09,707).
Max Verstappen doesn’t shine in his second fast run. A yellow flag situation following a spin from Charles Leclerc doesn’t inconvenience him in this regard. The fastest time remains in the name of Fernando Alonso, followed by Norris and Piastri respectively. Verstappen advances to SQ3 in eighth place. Lewis Hamilton, with his eleventh time, can already take off his helmet.
Eliminated in SQ2: Hamilton, Albon, Gasly, Bortoleto, Bearman.
SQ3: Norris Dominates in Sprint Qualification
In the final part of the sprint qualification, Mercedes driver George Russell is the first to go out, but he makes a mistake in turn 10 and only manages a ‘mere’ 1.09,556. Lando Norris starts strong: 1.09,271.
Max Verstappen is one of the drivers who opts for a single fast lap. He clocks 1.09,580, good for the sixth time. Norris remains in P1. No one can match his fastest time of 1.09,243. Antonelli comes closest with 1.09,340. Piastri loses ground with P3, but the same applies to Max Verstappen. However, Verstappen is the first driver on the grid without a Mercedes power unit in his car.
Top-10: Norris, Antonelli, Piastri, Russell, Alonso, Verstappen, Stroll, Leclerc, Hadjar, Hülkenberg.
The sprint race in São Paulo is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 14:00 UTC.
