Qualifying conditions borderline - but Norris and Russell hoping for more rain
Summary
Lando Norris took pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in rain-affected qualifying, saying the conditions helped him overcome McLaren’s pace deficit in dry weather. George Russell qualified second but will start seventh because of a five-place penalty, while light rain is forecast for Sunday’s race.Key Facts
- Norris secured his third consecutive Sao Paulo Grand Prix pole.
- Officials paused qualifying for nearly an hour and a half because conditions were considered too dangerous.
- Russell said visibility was nearly zero on the straight and that his car aquaplaned at more than 200 km/h.
- Russell will start seventh after receiving a five-place grid penalty.
- Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenberg qualified on the second row; Oliver Bearman qualified sixth.
- Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon reached the top 10 for the first time in 2026.
- Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start 20th and 21st after engine changes exceeded their annual allowances.
- Charles Leclerc qualified fourth but received a 10-place penalty for engine usage.
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