Qualifying conditions borderline - but Norris and Russell hoping for more rain
Lando Norris secured his third consecutive pole position at the São Paulo Grand Prix, navigating the wettest qualifying conditions he’s ever faced in Formula 1. The session was halted for nearly an hour and a half due to dangerous track conditions, with drivers like Norris and George Russell describing near-zero visibility and extreme challenges—including aquaplaning at over 200 km/h.
Norris, who acknowledged his McLaren’s upgrades helped in the slippery conditions, credited the rain for his performance, noting he wouldn’t have been on pole if the track had been dry. Meanwhile, Russell, who finished second but was penalized five places for a team miscommunication, expressed frustration over the unpredictable and hazardous conditions, calling them unsafe for a race start.
The qualifying results reshuffled the grid dramatically, with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg earning spots on the front row. Oliver Bearman (Haas), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), and Alex Albon (Williams) also climbed into the top 10 for the first time this season.
At the back, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) started 20th and 21st after engine replacements, while Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) faced a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allowance. With light rain forecast for Sunday’s race, teams and drivers will remain on high alert for the track’s notorious weather shifts.