Lando Norris takes pole for Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Max Verstappen exits Q1

McLaren’s Lando Norris has taken back-to-back poles at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen takes a Q1 exit, in a dramatic qualifying session. 

Feature image credit: McLaren Racing

Interlagos can throw up some curveballs, and Saturday has not differed from that as Norris has taken his 15th, and back-to-back, pole positions not only at Sao Paulo but in two consecutive races (Mexico and Brazil) since last season. 

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli also achieved his career best Grand Prix start after he qualified in second place, between Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will start first and third, respectively. The young Italian missed out on pole by 0.174 seconds. 

Norris’ teammate and championship rival, Oscar Piastri, could only best fourth place after the Australian lost ground in the championship following his crash in the sprint race. 

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However, qualifying spat out some big names as Red Bull’s reigning four-time world champion and championship contender, Max Verstappen, was eliminated out in Q1, down in 16th. 

Additionally, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took his own shock exit in qualifying, having qualified 13th, and out in Q2.  

Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto was not able to set a lap time on the board after the team failed to repair his car, following his heavy crash out of the sprint. As such, the Brazilian is set to start 20th on the grid, as long as the Stewards grant the Sauber driver permission to race. 

So, who qualified where for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix?

1. Lando Norris, McLaren
2. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
5. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls 
6. George Russell, Mercedes
7. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
8. Oliver Bearman, Haas
9. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
11. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
12. Alexander Albon, Williams
13. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari 
14. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
15. Carlos Sainz, Williams
16. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
17. Esteban Ocon, Haas
18. Franco Colapinto, Alpine
19. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull 
20. Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Lando Norris wins Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint as Oscar Piastri crashes
• Norris seals Sao Paulo GP sprint pole as Antonelli starts second
• Norris pips Piastri in solo practice at Sao Paulo Grand Prix
• Franco Colapinto completes 2026 Alpine driver line-up
• Oliver Bearman inches away from race ban ahead of Sao Paulo Grand Prix
• Williams drop Gulf livery ahead of Sao Paulo weekend

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.