Norris Dominates Sao Paulo Sprint Qualifying!
McLaren's Lando Norris has kicked off his Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend in style, securing pole position for Saturday's sprint race. The British driver described it as a "good start" and expressed confidence in dry conditions, but the weather forecast throws a curveball into the mix. An overnight storm is predicted, potentially impacting the sprint race scheduled for 14:00 GMT (11:00 in Sao Paulo).
"We have to prepare for both conditions," Norris stated, acknowledging the uncertainty. He'll start ahead of his teammate and championship rival, Oscar Piastri, by two places.
Norris, who snatched the championship lead from Piastri after his Mexico City Grand Prix win, edged out Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.097 seconds in sprint qualifying. Piastri followed closely behind, 0.185 seconds adrift.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull's contender trailing Norris by 36 points, struggled and could only manage sixth place, trailing behind Mercedes' George Russell and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.
"Car has been performing well. Not nice enough that I'm happy about everything. Some things to improve on for qualifying. Sprint race, if I can cruise to victory that would be beautiful," Norris added, revealing his ambition for the sprint race.
Norris's Ghost Car Advantage
Norris's pole position wasn't just luck. A detailed analysis using the 'Ghost Car' feature reveals exactly where he gained the crucial advantage over Antonelli. The Mercedes driver proved a strong challenger, but Norris's superior driving secured him the top spot.
Practice One Pace Setter
Earlier in the day, Norris also topped the timesheets in the sole practice session, further demonstrating his dominance at Interlagos. He pipped Piastri to the fastest time, setting a lap of 1:09.975, with the McLarens looking strong heading into qualifying.
Can Norris Extend His Lead?
With eight points up for grabs for the sprint race winner, Norris has a golden opportunity to extend his championship lead. All eyes will be on the weather and the strategic decisions made by the teams as they navigate the unpredictable conditions.