Norris Dominates Sao Paulo GP Qualifying, Claims Pole as Verstappen Exits Q1

Lando Norris continued his stellar form, securing pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after topping his fourth consecutive session in Brazil. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen suffered a shocking Q1 elimination, marking a rare early exit for the reigning champion.

Why it matters:

Norris's dominant performance, hot on the heels of his Sprint win, underscores McLaren's strong momentum and positions him perfectly to challenge for a Grand Prix victory. Verstappen's unexpected Q1 exit, coupled with Yuki Tsunoda's early elimination, represents a significant setback for Red Bull, shaking up the grid and opening the door for rivals at Interlagos.

The Details:

• Norris's Dominance: Lando Norris claimed his 15th career pole with a 1m09.511s lap. He recovered from a lock-up on his initial Q3 lap, demonstrating composure under pressure.
• Antonelli's Best Start: Kimi Antonelli secured his highest-ever Grand Prix start, placing P2, just 0.174s behind Norris, mirroring their Sprint race front row.
• Ferrari's Mixed Fortunes: Charles Leclerc salvaged P3 after nearly being eliminated in Q1, highlighting Ferrari's struggle for consistent pace. Lewis Hamilton, however, had a disappointing Q2 exit, qualifying 13th – his sixth Q2 exit this year.
• Red Bull's Disaster: Max Verstappen qualified a shocking 16th, his first Q1 elimination since the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda also failed to progress past Q1, finishing 19th. This is Red Bull's first double Q1 elimination since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix.
• Impressive Midfield: Racing Bulls had a strong showing, with Isack Hadjar in P5 and Liam Lawson in P7. Oliver Bearman continued his impressive run with a P8 start, marking his fourth consecutive Q3 appearance. Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg also made it into Q3.

What's next:

With Norris starting from pole and a host of unexpected names high up the grid, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix promises an unpredictable race. Verstappen faces a significant challenge from the back, adding an extra layer of excitement as he attempts to carve his way through the field. The varying tire strategies, as seen with Russell's medium-tire Q3 run, could also play a crucial role in Sunday's main event.