Lando Norris has the opportunity to take big points from Max Verstappen in the title race this Sunday in Sao Paulo.
In a chaotic qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix, marked by rain and numerous incidents, Lando Norris took a decisive pole position for McLaren.
Close to elimination from Q1, the Briton knew how to adapt to the conditions and adjust his risk-taking to dominate the slippery track.
“A lot happened during these qualifications. It was complicated, and I didn’t feel completely comfortableconfides Norris. I’m happy to be on pole, even if I’m quite surprised by the result. I managed to improve as the session went on, but riding in the rain is always a huge challenge.”
A challenge invisible on television
Norris points out that the difficulty of driving on a wet track is not necessarily visible on the screen: “It’s probably more difficult than it looks on TV. We’re constantly trying to shave off fractions of a second, but we’ve seen a lot of drivers spin out or lock up their wheels. Even the slightest mistake can cost you the race.”
Risk management was one of the main issues of the session, as the pilot points out: “In Q1, I really struggled to find the right balance between attack and caution. Today, the risk-reward ratio was difficult to assess. I’m relieved to have completed qualifying without a hitch and happy with this result.”
Strong rivals on the grid
While Max Verstappen, a serious competitor, will start from the back of the grid, Norris prefers to remain cautious about his chances for the race: “Very fast drivers like George [Russell] not Yuki [Tsunoda] are also well placed. It won’t be an easy race, especially in these conditions.”
Norris is therefore cautious for the race and emphasizes careful preparation: “We are well prepared. The start will be crucial, and we hope to be able to take advantage of this pole to stay in the lead. We will see what we can do as the race progresses.”
With this pole position, Lando Norris demonstrated impressive control in extremely difficult conditions. It remains to be seen whether this performance can translate into victory in the race.
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