F1 LIVE | Lando Norris on Pole for 2025 Brazil GP, Championship Lead at Stake

Lando Norris, starting from pole position, is poised to extend his championship lead over Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen at the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The British driver has had a dominant weekend at Interlagos, winning the Sprint race and securing all eight points, further solidifying his position atop the standings.

Why it matters:

• With a nine-point lead over teammate Piastri and a 39-point cushion over Verstappen, Norris has a golden opportunity to significantly bolster his championship prospects.
• Verstappen's unexpected Q1 elimination on pure pace marks a rare struggle for the Red Bull driver, potentially opening the door for McLaren to capitalize.
• The dynamic in the championship battle is shifting, with McLaren's strong performance potentially challenging Red Bull's traditional dominance, especially with Norris's consistent form.

The Details:

• The Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 14:00 local time (17:00 BST / 18:00 CET).
• Norris won the Sprint from pole position, collecting maximum points and extending his lead.
• Verstappen finished fourth in the Sprint, while Piastri retired after losing control of his MCL39.
• Qualifying Shocks: Verstappen was eliminated in Q1 on pure pace for the first time in his career, alongside his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
  • In contrast, both Racing Bulls cars made it to Q3, with Isack Hadjar set to start from P5.
• Charles Leclerc qualified third for Ferrari, behind Norris and Kimi Antonelli.
• Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 for the second consecutive day, and Fernando Alonso finished 11th, meaning no former F1 champions made it into Q3.

What's next:

• All eyes will be on Norris to see if he can convert his pole position into a Grand Prix victory and further extend his championship advantage.
• The performance of Verstappen from further down the grid will be crucial, as he aims to recover points despite his Q1 setback.
• The race will reveal whether McLaren can maintain their strong form and whether Ferrari and other teams can challenge for podium positions, especially with several top drivers starting outside the top ten.
• The weather forecast indicates a slight to moderate chance of rain, which could introduce further unpredictability to the race dynamics and strategies.