F1 – Norris Takes Sprint Pole in São Paulo as McLaren Shines at Interlagos

Lando Norris took Sprint pole in Interlagos after mastering the São Paulo circuit under pressure, edging out Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. The result gives Norris a vital advantage over his title rivals heading into Saturday’s 24-lap Sprint race, with championship contender Max Verstappen only managing sixth place.

Strong Start for McLaren in Sprint Qualifying

The McLaren duo wasted no time getting up to speed in SQ1. Piastri initially set the pace at 1:10.286, just ahead of Norris, before Verstappen briefly went fastest with a 1:10.107. However, Norris soon reclaimed the top spot, clocking a 1:09.702 to lead the session. His teammate followed in P2, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso impressed in third.

Midfield Surprises and Early Exits

Haas driver Ollie Bearman delivered a standout lap to reach SQ2 in sixth, while local favorite Gabriel Bortoleto advanced to the next phase in ninth. At the other end, Franco Colapinto narrowly missed out, finishing just 0.06 seconds behind Antonelli. Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda were also among those eliminated after struggling to find clear track space.

Alonso Leads Briefly Before Norris Strikes Again

In SQ2, Alonso delivered a shock fastest lap at 1:09.330, edging Norris by a slim 0.043 seconds. Piastri slotted into third, with Russell and Antonelli rounding out the top five. Verstappen’s lap was scruffy, placing him only eighth. Leclerc’s late spin in the middle sector brought out yellow flags that ruined several final laps, including Hamilton’s, who ended the session in P11.

Final Shootout in SQ3

When the ten remaining drivers returned for SQ3, Norris immediately took provisional pole with a time of 1:09.271. Antonelli split the McLarens in second, while Piastri followed closely behind. As the track evolved, Norris waited before delivering a final, perfect lap , a 1:09.243 , to secure Sprint pole by less than a tenth over Antonelli. Piastri held third ahead of Russell and Alonso.

Performance Highlights and Gaps

The McLaren MCL39 once again showed exceptional balance through the medium-speed sections of Interlagos, while Antonelli’s Mercedes excelled in traction zones. Verstappen’s Red Bull RB21 struggled for rear grip, particularly in sector two, leaving him sixth on the grid behind Alonso. Further back, Lance Stroll secured seventh ahead of Leclerc, Hadjar, and Hülkenberg.

Summary

Lando Norris’ Sprint pole at the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix marks another milestone in his championship campaign. With Antonelli and Piastri close behind, the stage is set for an intense Sprint battle. Verstappen’s sixth-place start means the Dutchman faces a challenge if he hopes to recover valuable points before Sunday’s main Grand Prix.