Norris Secures Pole for Brazil Sprint Race
Formula 1 championship leader Lando Norris secured pole position for the sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix with two strong laps, while Max Verstappen could only manage sixth place.
Top Performers in Brazilian Sprint Qualifying
- Norris took his first sprint pole of 2025, building on a strong streak that saw him reclaim the lead over McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri two weeks ago, a position he had not held since April.
- Piastri finished third, two tenths behind Norris, with Kimi Antonelli placing second and joining Norris on the front row despite nearly being eliminated early after placing 15th in SQ1.
- George Russell was fourth, just 0.001 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso, who led SQ2 for Aston Martin.
- Verstappen struggled with poor car balance throughout the session and ended in sixth.
- Lance Stroll delivered Aston Martin’s best qualifying result in the second half of the season, placing seventh.
- Charles Leclerc finished eighth after a difficult day for Ferrari, spinning late in SQ2 and affecting several drivers’ chances to advance, including his teammate Lewis Hamilton.
- Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls and Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber rounded out the top ten.
"Verstappen had to settle for sixth, complaining of poor balance aboard his RB21 all session long."
"Leclerc spinning in the dying stages of SQ2 out of the Bico de Pato right-hander cost others a chance to avoid an SQ2 exit - including his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton."
The Brazilian sprint qualifying showcased Norris's resurgence and highlighted Verstappen's ongoing car setup challenges, setting a dynamic tone for the weekend's racing.
Author's summary: Lando Norris claimed pole position in Brazil sprint qualifying, showcasing strong form, while Verstappen struggled with car balance and qualified sixth amid a challenging session.