McLaren Leads Sprint Qualifying in Brazil

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished sprint qualifying 1-2 in Brazil this afternoon. With the championship fight coming down to the wire and two sprint races left in the season Norris will attempt to dethrone the reigning world champion max Verstappen. There are a total of 120 points up for grabs between now and the final checkered flag at Abu Dahbi later this season. The battle for the top spot is set to heat up.

Verstappen will start P4 for the sprint race after failing to break into the top three during qualifying. To make matters worse Verstappen will once again be the lone Red Bull on the second row as his teammate Sergio Perez finished P13 and will be of no assistance from behind in assist Verstappen to overtake the three cars ahead.

Words from McLaren

Oscar Piastri, Sprint Race Pole Sitter

“I’m really happy to be starting on Pole tomorrow, and a great result for the team to be starting 1-2. It was a tricker session as in SQ3 my first lap didn’t feel amazing, but I knew there were a couple of places I could improve, and I was able to put it all together for the final run.

“I suspect it’s going to be a very different kind of Sprint to last year because of the resurfacing. We’ll have to see what the weather does, but I’m starting from the best seat in the house, so let’s see what we can so.”

Lando Norris, P2

“A good session for us as a team to start the weekend in Brazil. We were struggling to get a feel of the car in practice, so the improvements made in today’s Sprint Qualifying are pleasing. The pace is easily there and to lock out the front row is a great result. We’ll work hard to maintain maximum points tomorrow.”

Elsewhere on the grid, Liam Lawson secured a P8 finish ahead of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda who will start the sprint in P18. Rookie Oliver Bearman also found himself finishing in the top 10

Starting Grid for the Sao Paulo Sprint