Lando Norris delivered a masterclass lap to claim F1 Brazil GP pole position in a dramatic qualifying that saw Max Verstappen suffer shock Q1 elimination.
The McLaren driver set a blistering lap time of 1:09.511 edging out Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli who claimed a remarkable front-row start in only his second full season in Formula 1.
From the start of Q1, Lando Norris demonstrated the pace that had characterized his weekend, setting an early benchmark that immediately put pressure on the rest of the field.
Norris’s initial banker lap was approximately three-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen’s best in the session, signaling a strong McLaren performance on the technical and demanding Interlagos circuit.
Despite Verstappen’s attempts to improve, he failed to break out of the mid-pack, languishing in 16th position after his first flying laps.
The Red Bull driver made a bold strategic choice to forego pitting during the session, opting instead for cooling laps and a final late push, but even this did not yield the needed improvement to avoid elimination.
Verstappen’s failure to progress past Q1 was a historical moment as it marked the first time in his decade-long F1 career that he was knocked out so early in qualifying.
The Dutchman’s struggles were compounded by teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who also failed to progress, marking the first time since 2006 that Red Bull suffered double Q1 elimination.
Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto, and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto also did not make it past Q1 or Q2, the latter missing out on qualifying altogether due to a crash during the Sprint race final lap. +
Q2 intensified the competition, with Oliver Bearman initially setting a time of 1:09.755, which was matched by Piastri.
Liam Lawson followed closely, showing strong form for Racing Bulls, but it was Lando Norris who reasserted his dominance by setting a blistering 1:09.616, the fastest of Q2 by a significant margin.
Mercedes’s young star Andrea Kimi Antonelli surfaced as a noteworthy contender, posting competitive times that promised a strong qualifying outcome.
2025 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix Qualifying Results
Lando Norris seizes F1 Brazil GP Sprint victory as Oscar Piastri crashes
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, endured another difficult weekend after his best lap failed to secure a spot in the top ten shootout, and he will start Sunday’s race from 13th.
The British driver’s struggles were emblematic of Ferrari’s ongoing issues with car performance and reliability, as the team continues to search for answers ahead of the final races of the year.
Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, unfortunately, found themselves on the wrong side of the elimination cut alongside Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
As Q3 began, the stakes were at their highest with the top ten drivers contending for pole position in conditions that remained challenging but consistent.
Early runs in Q3 had Oliver Bearman and Charles Leclerc trading top spots, while Piastri took the lead momentarily with a 1:09.897. Norris initially sat in 10th, but it was clear he held more in reserve.
In a gripping final flurry, Norris unleashed his ultimate lap, clocking a 1:09.511 that was enough to secure F1 Brazil GP pole position by a clear margin, solidifying his status as the driver to beat in Sunday’s race.
Kimi Antonelli found himself alongside Norris on the front row after a stellar session, while Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three, securing a strong starting position for Ferrari.
Oscar Piastri could only manage fourth fastest, while Isack Hadjar delivered an impressive fifth for Racing Bulls.
George Russell, Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten finishers respectively, rounding out a competitive front pack for the race.
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