Norris takes São Paulo pole as Verstappen suffers shock Q1 exit

Lando Norris continued his dominant São Paulo weekend by securing pole position for the Grand Prix, adding to his Sprint pole and victory earlier in the day. The McLaren driver delivered a stunning 1:09.511 in Q3, beating Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 0.174s, with Charles Leclerc completing the top three.

The session was packed with drama, including a shock Q1 exit for Max Verstappen, who will start a lowly P16 after struggling with grip and balance in his Red Bull. The Dutchman’s elimination was compounded by Red Bull’s inability to find a working setup after parc ferme changes, leaving him visibly frustrated.

São Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying Recap

Q1 – Verstappen Out in Stunning Upset

Qualifying began under dry and warm conditions at Interlagos, but the drama started early. Gabriel Bortoleto, still recovering from a heavy Sprint crash, couldn’t take part, while Yuki Tsunoda’s lack of pace since his FP1 incident saw him join the drop zone.

The headline shock came when Verstappen, wrestling an unresponsive RB21, failed to escape Q1. His best effort was only good enough for 16th, behind Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto, Tsunoda, and Bortoleto. The reigning champion reported sliding in corners and a lack of grip, with onboard footage showing him tentative under braking and acceleration.

Eliminated in Q1:
16. Verstappen
17. Ocon
18. Colapinto
19. Tsunoda
20. Bortoleto

Q2 – Hamilton Falls, Alonso Misses Out

Q2 saw another big name exit as Lewis Hamilton could only manage 13th. Ferrari’s one-lap pace remained inconsistent, with Leclerc scraping through while Hamilton struggled for rear grip. Fernando Alonso missed the cut in 11th, while Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, and Carlos Sainz also dropped out.

Eliminated in Q2:
11. Alonso
12. Albon
13. Hamilton
14. Stroll
15. Sainz

Q3 – Norris Delivers Under Pressure

The final segment was a tense affair. Oliver Bearman initially set the benchmark, but Norris, Antonelli, and Leclerc all traded fastest sectors in the closing minutes. Norris overcame a lock-up earlier in the session to produce a flawless lap, topping the timesheets by a significant margin for such a short circuit. Antonelli’s late surge secured P2, matching his Sprint front-row start, while Leclerc edged Oscar Piastri for third.

Top 10:

1. Norris (McLaren) – 1:09.511
2. Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.174
3. Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.294
4. Piastri (McLaren) +0.375
5. Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0.420
6. Russell (Mercedes) +0.431
7. Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.451
8. Bearman (Haas) +0.466
9. Gasly (Alpine) +0.491
10. Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) +0.528

Key Talking Points

Norris in Command

Norris’ pace has been untouchable this weekend. His pole lap was fastest in all three sectors, underlining McLaren’s strong package at Interlagos. With clear skies forecast for Sunday, he starts as the favourite to convert pole into victory.

Antonelli’s Breakthrough Weekend

The Mercedes rookie has been in superb form, pushing Norris hard in both the Sprint and Qualifying. His P2 start gives Mercedes a strong platform in their fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship.

Ferrari’s Mixed Fortunes

Leclerc salvaged third after a tricky build-up, but Hamilton’s struggles highlight Ferrari’s ongoing inconsistency in qualifying trim. Race pace looked better in the Sprint, so Sunday could still offer opportunities.

Red Bull’s Nightmare

Verstappen’s Q1 exit is a rare sight and a major blow to his title hopes. The team’s setup changes after the Sprint backfired, leaving him with a car that lacked grip and stability. Recovery will be difficult from the midfield at a track where overtaking is possible but risky.

Midfield Surprises

Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson impressed for Racing Bulls, securing fifth and seventh respectively. Bearman’s eighth place continues his strong rookie showing, while Gasly’s ninth keeps Alpine in the mix for points.

Analysis – What to Expect in the Race

With Norris and Antonelli sharing the front row again, the opening laps could be decisive. McLaren’s straight-line speed and Norris’ confidence give him the edge, but Mercedes’ race pace in cooler conditions could keep Antonelli in contention.

Leclerc will aim to pressure the leaders from the dirty side of the grid, while Piastri needs a strong start to avoid losing ground. Verstappen’s recovery drive will be one to watch, but Red Bull’s lack of pace may limit his progress.

The São Paulo Grand Prix grid is more mixed than usual, promising an unpredictable race with potential for strategic gambles and late drama.