Lando Norris claimed pole position for the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, navigating a heavily disrupted and rain-affected qualifying session. George Russell initially set the second-fastest time, with newly crowned World Champion Kimi Antonelli in third.
However, multiple grid penalties significantly altered the provisional starting order for Sunday’s race. Russell, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Pérez all received sanctions for power unit component changes.
Norris secured his third consecutive pole position at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. He achieved a lap time of 1:27.470 in challenging wet conditions.
Russell qualified second, just 0.204 seconds behind Norris. He will start seventh due to a five-place grid penalty for a new internal combustion engine.
Russell expressed frustration with his Mercedes team over a decision to back off on his final flying lap. He believed this instruction cost him a potential pole position.
Kimi Antonelli, the 2026 Formula 1 World Champion, qualified third. He will be promoted to second on the grid following Russell’s penalty.
Antonelli secured his maiden world title last weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix. At 20 years old, he became the youngest champion in Formula 1 history.
Charles Leclerc qualified fourth for Ferrari but faces a 10-place grid penalty. This is due to exceeding his allocation of internal combustion engines, placing him 14th.
Liam Lawson delivered a strong performance for Racing Bulls, qualifying fifth. He will start third on the grid after penalties to other drivers.
Lawson’s future at Racing Bulls beyond the 2026 season remains uncertain. He is currently fighting to retain his seat amidst competition from other Red Bull junior drivers.
Max Verstappen will start 21st from the back of the grid. He incurred a cumulative 30-place penalty for multiple new power unit components.
Verstappen opted out of Q2 to conserve tyres for Sunday’s race. He has a history of strong recovery drives at Interlagos, including a victory from 17th in 2024.
Lewis Hamilton also faces a back-of-the-grid start, lining up 20th. His Ferrari required a full power unit change after technical issues in final practice.
Nico Hülkenberg qualified sixth for Audi and will start fourth. Isack Hadjar of Red Bull qualified seventh and moves up to fifth on the grid.
Haas rookie Rafael Câmara made his Formula 1 debut at his home Grand Prix. He crashed in the final moments of Q2, causing a red flag.
Câmara, the current Formula 2 championship leader, was confirmed for Haas in 2027. His São Paulo debut followed Esteban Ocon’s departure from the team.
The qualifying session was heavily disrupted by persistent rain. A red flag halted proceedings for over an hour, with the track deemed ‘not drivable’ at one point.
The São Paulo Grand Prix is confirmed to remain on the Formula 1 calendar through to 2035. This ensures the event’s long-term presence at Interlagos.
Provisional Starting Grid for the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix:
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
4. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
6. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
7. George Russell (Mercedes)*
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
9. Alex Albon (Williams)
10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
…20. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
…21. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)*
…22. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac)
*5-place grid penalty; Back-of-grid penalty; *Back-of-grid penalty; Back-of-grid penalty
