Fernando Alonso will start the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from eighth position after securing Aston Martin’s first Q3 appearance of the 2026 Formula 1 season in a rain-affected qualifying session at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. Lando Norris claimed pole position for McLaren, ahead of Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
The qualifying session on Saturday, November 7, 2026, was significantly impacted by heavy rain, leading to an 80-minute delay in Q1. Conditions evolved from full wet tyres to intermediates as the track dried, before rain returned for the final segment.
Alonso’s performance was a notable highlight for Aston Martin, a team that has endured a challenging 2026 season. The team currently sits second to last in the Constructors’ Championship.
Telemetry data from Q2 indicated Alonso was quicker through the first three corners compared to Russell on full wet tyres. Despite a straight-line speed deficit by Turn 6, Alonso recovered 1.2 seconds through the slower section of the lap, from Turn 6 to Turn 10.
A key strategic decision saw Alonso among the first drivers to switch to intermediate tyres in Q2. His initial lap on the damp-weather compound was strong enough to secure his progression to Q3, vaulting him to third on the timing sheets at one point.
In Q3, Alonso was the first driver out, anticipating heavier rain. However, the rain held off longer than expected, resulting in cold tyres and depleted electrical deployment for his first timed lap. He later stated he did not fully optimise his Q3 performance.
Alonso qualified ninth with a time of 1:30.311. He will start eighth due to a 10-place grid penalty applied to Charles Leclerc.
The 2026 season has been difficult for Aston Martin, marked by chassis and Honda power unit issues, including chronic vibrations and a lack of downforce. The team’s development curve has been flatter due to limited data gathering in early races.
Alonso has secured all of Aston Martin’s points this year, with top-10 finishes in Monaco, the Netherlands, and Malaysia. The Sao Paulo Q3 appearance marks a significant upturn after a disastrous Mexican Grand Prix, where both Aston Martin cars retired due to ERS cooling problems.
Alonso expressed that the wet conditions provided an opportunity, stating, ‘Unknown conditions for everyone, especially on this year’s cars. I think we didn’t have much practice on the wet.’ He also acknowledged the first Q3 of the season ‘feels good.’
The full qualifying results for the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix are as follows:
1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:27.470
2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:27.674 (5-place grid penalty)
3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:28.095
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:28.289 (10-place grid penalty)
5. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:28.321
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 1:28.668
7. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – 1:28.763
8. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 1:29.831
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:30.311
10. Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:30.456
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid due to power unit penalties. Kimi Antonelli, who qualified third, secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship at the preceding Mexican Grand Prix.
