Lando Norris’ bid to win his maiden F1 world championship was dealt a seismic boost in Interlagos after he took a brilliant pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix, with rival Max Verstappen a shock 17th.
Verstappen was eliminated from a chaotic rain-hit qualifying on Sunday morning, carried over a day after Saturday’s running was abandoned due to bad weather.
The triple world champion had been on course to improve his time in the wet conditions but Lance Stroll’s crash resulted in the third of an astonishing five red flags, and Q2 did not resume.
It left a furious Verstappen in 12th and, with the Dutchman to serve a five-place engine penalty, he will be way down the order for the 71-lap race later on Sunday.
Follow all the latest updates from the Brazilian Grand Prix:
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Max Verstappen on team radio…
“Ahhhhh yes! What an unbelievable race. You know what that is? Simply lovely, I tell you that!”
It’s Verstappen’s first win since the Spanish Grand Prix in June!
And surely it’s the race which seals his fourth world title!
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 18:03
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Max Verstappen wins in Sao Paulo!
A masterclass from Max Verstappen – he wins from 17th on the grid!
A dream day for Alpine, too, as they finish second and third with Ocon and Gasly!
4-10: Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Tsunoda, Piastri, Lawson, Hamilton
For Lando Norris? A total disaster.
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:58
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Max Verstappen starts the final lap (Lap 69/69)
A simply stunning grand prix from Max Verstappen – he’s got one lap remaining now.
Top-10: Verstappen, Ocon, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Hamilton
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:56
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Fernando Alonso on team radio (Lap 67/69)
“I will finish the race for the mechanics, they did a great job. But my back is really hurting. This bouncing is not normal.”
Bad resurfacing of the Interlagos track, it seems.
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:54
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Max Verstappen cruising now (Lap 66/69)
A full collection of 26 points for the win and fastest lap are coming Max Verstappen’s way – he’s now 15 seconds clear of Esteban Ocon as this crazy race concludes!
Top-10: Verstappen, Ocon, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Hamilton
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:53
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Lando Norris frustrated in sixth (Lap 63/69)
Norris’ engineer: “Oscar has a 10-second penalty behind, get as close to Leclerc in front.”
Norris: “I am trying to go as quick as I can, what do you think I’m doing?!”
So much frustration for Lando Norris this afternoon. He’s currently 2.2 seconds behind Leclerc in fifth.
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:48
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez battling (Lap 59/69)
Decent bit of racing between Hamilton and Perez for P10 – Hamilton just staying ahead right now!
Verstappen is now over 10 seconds clear of Ocon! And we’re not expecting anymore heavy downpours…
Top-10: Verstappen, Ocon, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Hamilton
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:44
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Lando Norris dropping off behind Charles Leclerc (Lap 54/69)
Lando Norris now 1.5 seconds behind Charles Leclerc in the battle for fifth.
Verstappen, meanwhile, is 7.1 seconds in front and occupies the fastest lap.
It will take a safety car/red flag to save Norris’ race now!
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:37
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Max Verstappen setting fastest laps (Lap 50/69)
Two fastest laps in a row for Max Verstappen – his lead is now 5.2 seconds. Astonishing.
For Norris, he’s not lapping quicker than Leclerc in front of him – and is now two seconds slower than Verstappen. It’s all falling apart for McLaren’s No 1 here!
Top-10: Verstappen, Ocon, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Lawson, Perez
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:31
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Charles Leclerc incident noted by stewards (Lap 47/69)
Leclerc perhaps rejoined unsafely at turn 4 after going off.. will he get a penalty?
He’s currently running in P5, with Russell ahead of Leclerc!
Norris, meanwhile, has got ahead of Piastri – he’s up to sixth.
Kieran Jackson3 November 2024 17:28
