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SÃO PAULO, Brazil – Briton Lando Norris, currently second in the Formula 1 world championship, will start in the leading position of the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of his compatriot George Russell (Mercedes), second in chaotic qualifying postponed to Sunday due to the rain, and very far ahead of leader Max Verstappen, 17th.
Under the very overcast sky of São Paulo – the rain was again present during qualifying – the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls), 3rd, signed the best performance of his career in qualifying. He will start from the second row alongside Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine).
The third row went to New Zealander Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) and Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 6th.
Author of the 12th best time in qualifying but having previously received a penalty of five places due to a change in driving force, Verstappen will only start 17th (out of 20).
On the once again soggy Interlagos circuit, the Dutchman from Red Bull was notably the victim of a red flag at the very end of the second part of qualifying (Q2), stopping him in his tracks in an attempt to snatch his ticket. for Q3, where pole is fought out among the ten fastest.
Indeed, less than a minute from the end of Q2, Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) went off the track, leading to the third interruption of the session, and the premature end of this second part of qualifying.
In total, five red flags punctuated qualifying: in addition to Stroll, his teammate Fernando Alonso also went off the track, as did the Argentinian Franco Colapinto (Williams), the Thai Alexander Albon (William) and Carlos Sainz, who heavily damaged his Ferrari.
If these drivers were to break the “parc ferme” regime – when teams are not allowed to touch F1 cars – to repair the single-seaters, Verstappen could then move up the hierarchy.
“Mad Max” could also benefit from a boost from the rain – in which it can perform well – since it is still expected for the GP.
On Saturday afternoon, qualifying had to be postponed due to heavy rains that fell in the São Paulo region, degrading visibility on the track.
The rain, which is currently falling intermittently on the circuit, has pushed F1 and the FIA has brought forward the start time of the GP, which must now take place from 12:30 p.m. local instead of 2 p.m. ( 10:30 a.m. instead of noon Montreal time).
In the championship, before this 21st round (out of 24) during which up to 26 points will be up for grabs, Verstappen is 44 points ahead of his rival Norris.
Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying results :
1. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
2. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)
3. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls-Red Bull)
4. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
5. Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls-Red Bull)
6. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)
7. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes)
8. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes)
9. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
Eliminated Q2 :
11. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber-Ferrari)
12. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
13. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull)
14. Carlos Sainz fils (ESP/Ferrari)
15. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
Eliminated Q1 :
16. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)
17. Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas-Ferrari)
18. Franco Colapinto (ARG/Williams-Mercedes)
19. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari)
20. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber-Ferrari)
