Lando Norris, from McLaren, secured pole position for the São Paulo GP sprint race this Friday (7), at the Autódromo de Interlagos, with a time of 1min09s271. The Brit beat rookie Kimi Antonelli, from Mercedes, by just 0.069 seconds, while Oscar Piastri, his teammate, closed the top 3. The session, held under dry conditions after a free practice session marked by instability, reinforces McLaren’s dominance in the final stretch of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The sprint classification defines the grid for Saturday’s race, which distributes eight points to the winner and could influence the fight for the title, where Norris leads with 357 points, one ahead of Piastri.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Brazilian Sauber driver, finished in 14th place, in a performance that reflects the challenges of adapting to the technical Interlagos track.
- Main highlights of the session: Norris used soft tires for the decisive lap; Antonelli consistently surprised in Q3.
- Weather conditions: Uninterrupted cloudy weather, contrasting with the rain forecast for Saturday.
LANDO NORRIS TAKES #F1SPRINT POLE AT INTERLAGOS!! #F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/6NlsCDwuED
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 7, 2025
McLaren performance at Interlagos
McLaren demonstrated technical superiority in the sprint classification, with Norris and Piastri occupying the first two positions in Q2 before consolidating the top 3. The team, which has already won its second constructors’ championship with 713 points, adjusted the car for the high-speed curves of the São Paulo circuit.
Piastri, who was leading the championship until Mexico, made a mistake in a fast lap attempt and was 0.2 seconds behind his teammate.
Decisive moments on the track
Norris took the lead in the final minutes of Q3, when most drivers opted for the soft tires. George Russell, from Mercedes, completed the top 4 with 1min09s471, followed by Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari.
The session lasted around 45 minutes, with 20 drivers divided into three elimination phases. Haas’ Hulkenberg surprised by advancing to Q3 for the first time this season.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished seventh, 0.4 seconds behind Norris’ time, in a result that complicates his strategy for the sprint.
The isolated incident occurred in the curve of the Sun, with no impact on the final positions.
Sprint race forecast
The sprint race, scheduled for Saturday at 11 am, covers 24 laps and around 100 km on the 4.3 km Interlagos route. Teams predict unstable weather, with80% chance of rain, which may alter pit stop strategies.
Norris highlighted the importance of extra points in the fight for the title, where he has six victories this season. Piastri, with seven triumphs, needs to recover ground to avoid a greater disadvantage.
- Key factors for Saturday: Tire management on wet roads; Aggressive starting strategies on Senna S.
- Impressive positions: Bortoleto in 14th can gain positions with overtaking on the opposite straight.
Public presence and tributes
Thousands of fans filled the stands at Interlagos to watch the classification live. The organization recorded an initial audience of 45 thousand people, with tickets sold out for the weekend.
Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari, displayed a special helmet in honor of his honorary Brazilian citizenship, completed three years ago. The gesture included elements of the national flag and references to local culture.
The sprint podium cap features designs inspired by the Brazilian football team, a new feature adopted by F1 for the event in São Paulo.
Celebrities and athletes, including Bortoleto’s girlfriend, attended the VIP areas, adding visibility to the GP.
History of pole positions in sprints
Interlagos has hosted sprints since 2021, with Norris taking his fourth pole in the category this Friday. The Britnico has already won the race here in previous editions, adding 16 extra points to the general classification.
Other records include Verstappen’s pole in 2022, in heavy rain, which defined the main grid. The track, with its elevations and iconic curves, demands precision in short qualifications like this.
Bortoleto, in his debut season, accumulates 12 points and aims for the top 10 in the sprint to boost his campaign.
The climate dynamics of Interlagos, influenced by the Billings dam, contribute to unpredictable sessions, as seen in previous years.
Heading Strategies
Norris and Piastri form McLaren’s strongest duo, with the team prioritizing the drivers’ title for the first time since 2008. Verstappen, third in the championship with 340 points, depends on a good result in the sprint to reduce the 17-point gap.
Ferrari, with Leclerc in fifth, focuses on consistency to maintain third place in the constructors. Hamilton, sixth in the table, adapts to the new car on a track where he has won five.
- Rising drivers: Antonelli, 19, impresses with podiums in qualifications.
- Local challenges: Curves like the dip and horseshoe test the teams’ aerodynamics.
Expectations grow for the rest of the weekend, with the main classification on Saturday at 3pm defining Sunday’s grid.
