Winners and losers from F1 2026 Brazilian GP qualifying
The chaotic wet-weather qualifying session at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix delivered a mix of triumphs and setbacks, with Lando Norris securing his third consecutive pole position at Interlagos. Norris, who has dominated McLaren’s resurgence since 2024, outpaced rivals in both Q1 and Q3, despite a near-miss for George Russell.
The Mercedes driver, already grappling with championship disappointment, aborted a lap he believed would secure pole—only to be held back by Williams teammate Alex Albon and penalized by a five-place grid deduction. Though Russell was the fastest on track, his frustration over the outcome overshadowed his performance, leaving him starting seventh after what felt like a lost opportunity.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Bortoleto’s qualifying struggles continued, with a minor incident at Juncao curtailing his session and sending him to the back of the grid. His second consecutive qualifying exit at home—following last year’s crash in the sprint race—highlighted the pressure on the young driver, who admitted the setback felt like a repeat of past disappointments.
