F1 Brazil GP: Lando Norris storms to dash pole with Oscar Piastri third, Max Verstappen sixth

Lando Norris has overwhelmed Andrea Kimi Antonelli to Method 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix dash pole, with title rivals Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen third and sixth respectively.

Norris reigned supreme on each of his SQ3 laps to fend off a powerful effort from Mercedes rookie Antonelli, who break up the 2 championship contending McLarens, as Verstappen struggled for grip in his Crimson Bull.

Norris led the primary of his two salvos of SQ3 laps from each Mercedes vehicles and Piastri, with the Briton’s 1m09.271s the goal lap to beat.

Norris and Piastri then stayed out for 2 cooldown laps earlier than launching once more on the identical set of softs, whereas Russell, Antonelli adopted the same technique with one cooldown lap.

Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, who had surprisingly led SQ2, had been among the many 5 vehicles deciding to financial institution every thing on a single flyer as a substitute.

However because it occurred, each McLaren drivers discovered extra tempo on their second try, with Norris laying down a 1m09.243s. That was one tenth faster than Antonelli, who managed to edge out Piastri because the Australian solely marginally improved as nicely.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Picture by: Hector Vivas / Getty Photos

George Russell was fourth within the different Mercedes, whereas Alonso sensationally held off a puzzled Verstappen for fifth.

Lance Stroll was seventh on a powerful day for Aston Martin, forward of Charles Leclerc, with Isack Hadjar and Nico Hulkenberg rounding out the highest 10.

Alonso had already performed a starring position in SQ2 by main the primary set of runs from Norris, Piastri and Russell. The 2-time world champion’s 1m09.330s would keep on prime till the tip as few drivers discovered enhancements on their second flyer on the identical set of medium tyres, that are necessary within the first two dash qualifying segments.

Hamilton was on the surface wanting in by solely going eleventh quickest, largely resulting from a lock-up, whereas Ferrari team-mate Leclerc additionally wasn’t significantly protected in ninth. Even world champion Verstappen was underneath stress in eighth, only one tenth faraway from the drop zone, as he referred to as his Crimson Bull automobile “utterly damaged”.

On the second run not one of the three drivers improved, with Hamilton not even making it throughout the road in time resulting from yellow flags as he was dumped out in eleventh. However Verstappen and a spinning Leclerc had been handed a reprieve when none of their rivals improved considerably both.

Albon and Gasly missed an opportunity to advance to SQ3, lining up behind Hamilton in twelfth and thirteenth. Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto additionally could not make the highest 10 on his dwelling debut, the Brazilian taking 14th forward of Haas man Oliver Bearman.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Picture by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos

In SQ1 Norris convincingly set the quickest time – a 1m09.627s on mediums – three tenths forward of Verstappen and Piastri.

Franco Colapinto could not rejoice the affirmation of his 2026 Alpine take care of an SQ2 spot, being knocked out on the final second by Stroll.

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Colapinto was sixteenth forward of Liam Lawson, a disappointing Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon. Sainz was eradicated lifeless final after locking up his entrance left wheel into Flip 1, labelling Williams’ qualifying effort “the worst execution ever”.

F1 Brazilian GP – Dash qualifying outcomes

Images from Sao Paulo GP – Observe & Dash QU

Lando Norris, McLaren