News Summary

Lando Norris had never driven McLaren’s MCL40 in the wet before Saturday’s São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying. By the end of a session that took him from full wets to intermediates, he had beaten both Mercedes drivers and secured his third consecutive Grand Prix pole at Interlagos.

The McLaren driver said the session gave him a chance to learn how the car responded as conditions changed. He had already found a small lap-time gain from McLaren’s upgrades in Friday practice, although he still found the car tricky to drive. Qualifying brought a different challenge.

“Well, this was my first time driving the car in the wet, so I think I figured it out pretty quickly,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.

“It was tough — wet, inters, all different tyres. It was very windy as well on the last couple of laps, so it’s certainly a good day for learning for me and good to take into tomorrow.”

Why Norris wanted two laps in before the rain returned

The opening downpour stopped Q1 after just 2 minutes and 23 seconds. The field waited more than 80 minutes before returning to the track on full wets. Conditions improved enough for intermediates during Q2, but heavier rain was approaching again by the time the pole shootout began.

“Well, it’s been a long day. It’s been a great qualifying,” Norris said. “Obviously, to be on pole again here two years in a row is… different conditions to last year, but I’m very happy.” Norris also took Grand Prix pole at Interlagos in 2024 and 2025, making Saturday his third in succession.

“It wasn’t easy conditions out there, especially when you know it’s going to rain a lot more. It was about getting two laps in at the beginning, not making any mistakes, and that’s exactly what we did, so it’s been a very good day.”

Russell had gone fastest with a 1:27.674 before Norris took pole with a 1:27.470. The rain then returned and neither Mercedes driver improved. Russell’s five-place engine penalty means it is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, third in qualifying, who is set to line up alongside Norris on Sunday.

“These guys are also very quick, so just happy,” Norris said of Mercedes. “Today was about getting on pole. It doesn’t really matter how you do it. So very pleased with that.”

GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the São Paulo Grand Prix in Formula 1 live from Interlagos.