Norris Secures Sao Paulo Sprint Pole, Piastri Third in Strong McLaren Showing
Summary
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Sao Paulo Sprint, becoming the fifth different polesitter this season. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri qualified third, showcasing the team's strong performance. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli will start second. Notable eliminations include Lewis Hamilton in SQ2 and Carlos Sainz in SQ1. Norris aims to convert his pole into victory in Saturday's Sprint race, highlighting McLaren's strong momentum.
Lando Norris clinched pole position for the Sao Paulo Sprint, marking him as the fifth different Sprint polesitter of the 2025 season. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri secured third, showcasing strong form for the British team.
Why it matters:
McLaren's strong qualifying performance in Sao Paulo, particularly securing two of the top three spots, underscores their consistent progress and potential to challenge for victories. For Norris, converting this pole into a Sprint win would be a significant morale booster and a testament to McLaren's improving car package.
The details:
- Norris set a commanding 1m09.243s lap, demonstrating strong pace throughout the session.
- Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes showed impressive speed, qualifying second just 0.097s behind Norris, highlighting Mercedes' competitive presence in Brazil.
- Piastri, despite a slight error on his initial SQ3 lap, recovered to secure third, 0.185s adrift of Norris.
- Key Eliminations:
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) was eliminated in SQ2, starting 11th, after a late spin by Charles Leclerc brought out double-waved yellows, preventing him from improving his time.
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) had a disappointing SQ1, finishing 20th after a heavy lock-up, a stark contrast to his recent Sprint podium in the USA.
- Notable drivers also out in SQ1 included Yuki Tsunoda (18th) and Liam Lawson (17th), while Alexander Albon, Pierre Gasly, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Oliver Bearman were eliminated in SQ2.
- Surprise Performances:
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) made a rare SQ3 appearance, qualifying an impressive seventh.
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) continued his strong form, securing ninth.
- Struggles:
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) managed eighth after struggling for pace and spinning in SQ2.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), a known Sprint specialist, will start sixth, unable to replicate his previous heroics.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to the Sprint race on Saturday at 11 am local time (1 am AEDT Sunday).
- Norris expressed his satisfaction with the pole and his eagerness to convert it into a win, acknowledging the session was
Original Article :https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-lando-norris-sao-paulo-sprint-pole-oscar-pias...