Norris Secures Sao Paulo Sprint Pole, Antonelli Shines
Lando Norris secured his first Sprint pole of the season at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, narrowly beating Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. Norris's lap of 1:09.243s put him just 0.097s ahead of Antonelli, with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri completing the top three, setting the stage for an intriguing Sprint race.
Why it matters:
This result highlights McLaren's consistent form and Lando Norris's growing prowess in Sprint formats, while Kimi Antonelli's impressive performance signals a bright future for Mercedes. The tight margins across the grid, especially in SQ1, suggest that the upcoming Sprint race will be highly competitive and unpredictable, with multiple drivers capable of challenging for top positions.
The details:
- Norris's Dominance: Lando Norris's pole position underscores McLaren's strong performance, building on recent successes and demonstrating their capability to challenge the front of the grid.
- Antonelli's Ascent: Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli's second-place finish marks a significant achievement for the rookie, showcasing his talent and adaptability in Formula 1.
- McLaren's Strength in Depth: Oscar Piastri's third position ensures both McLarens start at the sharp end, maximizing their chances for points in the Sprint.
- Verstappen's Challenge: Max Verstappen, usually a strong contender in Sprints, will start sixth, indicating a less dominant qualifying performance than expected.
- Hamilton's Setback: Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in SQ2, starting 11th after being affected by double-waved yellows caused by a late spin from Charles Leclerc.
- Tight Margins: SQ1 saw the top 16 drivers separated by less than a second, illustrating the intense competition and fine margins defining Sprint Qualifying.
- Notable Exits: Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Carlos Sainz were among those who failed to progress past SQ1, struggling with grip and pace.
By the numbers:
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:09.627 | 1:09.373 | 1:09.243 | 20 |
| 2 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:10.381 | 1:09.504 | 1:09.340 | 16 |
| 3 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:10.017 | 1:09.416 | 1:09.428 | 19 |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:10.048 | 1:09.384 | 1:09.495 | 16 |
| 5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:10.011 | 1:09.330 | 1:09.496 | 12 |
| 6 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:09.975 | 1:09.707 | 1:09.580 | 15 |
| 7 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:10.326 | 1:09.647 | 1:09.671 | 15 |
| 8 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:10.324 | 1:09.732 | 1:09.725 | 19 |
| 9 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:10.095 | 1:09.608 | 1:09.775 | 15 |
| 10 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | 1:10.333 | 1:09.735 | 1:09.935 | 15 |
| 11 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:10.224 | 1:09.811 | 14 | |
| 12 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:10.275 | 1:09.813 | 12 | |
| 13 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:10.097 | 1:09.852 | 12 | |
| 14 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | 1:10.217 | 1:09.923 | 12 | |
| 15 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team | 1:10.066 | 1:09.946 | 12 | |
| 16 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:10.441 | 6 | ||
| 17 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:10.666 | 5 | ||
| 18 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing | 1:10.692 | 6 | ||
| 19 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas F1 Team | 1:10.872 | 6 | ||
| 20 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:11.120 | 6 |
What's next:
The Sao Paulo Sprint race is set to begin at 11 am local time on Saturday. With Norris on pole and Antonelli demonstrating strong pace, the battle at the front will be intense. Verstappen will be looking to recover positions from sixth, while Hamilton faces the challenge of moving up from 11th. The race promises high-stakes action, given the close competition seen in qualifying and the strategic opportunities presented by the Interlagos circuit.
Original Article :https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-sao-paulo-grand-prix-interlagos-sprint-qualif...