Sao Paulo, November 7, 2025: McLaren’s Lando Norris secured pole position for Saturday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint race, describing it as a “good start” to his weekend. The British driver, who leads the championship standings by one point ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri, impressed in qualifying amid unpredictable weather conditions at Interlagos.
Lando Norris Confident Despite Weather Concerns
Norris acknowledged that the sprint could be affected by a storm expected to hit overnight, saying, “We have to prepare for both conditions. I expect the morning to be heavy rain and incredibly windy. Let’s wait and see what happens.”
The sprint race is scheduled for 14:00 GMT (11:00 local time in Sao Paulo). Despite the threat of rain, Norris expressed confidence in McLaren’s pace, stating, “The car has been performing well. It’s not perfect yet, but if I can cruise to victory, that would be beautiful.”
McLaren Dominate as Mercedes and Red Bull Trail
Norris edged Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by just 0.097 seconds in sprint qualifying, while Piastri was 0.185 seconds behind in third. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, 36 points adrift in the title fight, managed only sixth place behind George Russell and Fernando Alonso.
Top 10 Sprint Qualifying Results:
- 1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 4. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- 8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- 10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
Hamilton’s Struggles Continue at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton endured another tough session, qualifying 11th in his Ferrari after being held up when teammate Charles Leclerc spun in front of him. Although Hamilton faced investigation for not slowing enough under yellow flags, he was ultimately let off with a reprimand due to the brief visibility of the signal.
Championship Stakes: Norris Extends His Edge
With eight points awarded to the sprint winner and seven for second, Norris now has a chance to widen his narrow championship lead over Piastri. Having already won the Mexico City Grand Prix two weeks ago, the Briton continues his momentum toward a potential maiden title.
“It was a little bit tougher than I would have liked,” Norris admitted. “But we did the job we needed to do — be the fastest today. Qualifying here is always tricky and bumpy, but it’s one of the best feelings in Formula 1.”
Piastri Seeks Redemption After Tough Races
Piastri, who struggled in recent races in the US and Mexico, seemed optimistic. “A couple of big moments on my first lap weren’t ideal,” he said. “But I felt much happier than in the last few weeks. We can definitely fight with what we’ve got — and there are a lot more points on Sunday.”
Verstappen and Red Bull Struggle With Setup
Max Verstappen expressed frustration over team radio, calling his car “undriveable.” He complained about vibrations, lack of grip, and rear instability. “It’s quite poor, I would say. It is clear we are lacking something. I’m not expecting that to be much better in the wet, but we’ll see tomorrow,” Verstappen said.
Antonelli and Alonso Impress With Strong Performances
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed by setting his best time on his first flying lap, securing his career-best second position in sprint qualifying. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso was the surprise of the day, finishing just 0.253 seconds off pole in his Aston Martin.
“The car felt good in P1,” Alonso said. “We were P4, now P5 — we started the weekend in the right window, and with only one free practice, that makes everything easier.”
His teammate Lance Stroll finished seventh, while Leclerc, Hadjar, and Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten.
What’s Next at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
The Grand Prix qualifying is scheduled for 18:00 GMT, but the weather could disrupt the session. Norris will look to capitalize on his early advantage and build a cushion before Sunday’s main race. With the championship battle tighter than ever, fans can expect another dramatic weekend in Brazil.
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By The Morning News Informer| Updated: November 7, 2025