Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Sprint of the Brazilian Grand Prix, beating teammate Lando Norris in a tight qualifying session that secured McLaren an important front row start. Despite his personal advantage and the possibility of triumphing in the Sprint, the Australian is not forgetting the importance of the team's objectives, with Norris engaged in the fight for the drivers' title.
McLaren confirms its favourite in Interlagos
McLaren were the favourites heading into the Brazilian weekend and they lived up to expectations with a flawless qualifying performance. Both Norris and Piastri showed a great feeling for the Interlagos circuit in sprint qualifying in Brazil, making full use of the MCL38 set-up, which was perfectly suited to the challenging track with its new surface and bumps. With the margin of just 0.029 seconds between the two, Piastri prevailed on the decisive lap to secure pole and put McLaren in a strong position for the Sprint.

Will Piastri help Norris in the title fight?
Piastri confirmed his enthusiasm for the pole, but also reiterated that his first goal remains the team: “I'm excited to start from pole and of course I'll try to win, but I know Lando needs points for the championship.. We talked about it and we are both focused on giving our all for McLaren.” While aiming for victory, Piastri is ready to support his teammate in his pursuit of Verstappen, aware of the importance of every point in the pursuit of the drivers’ title.
Strategy for Sprint and Constructors
The one-two on the front row is not only a sign of strength for McLaren, but also a great opportunity for the team in the constructors' championship. With Ferrari on the rise and Red Bull forced to chase, every point can make a difference. “We want to maximise the points and do the best for the team,” said Piastri. The Sprint offers a further chance to consolidate McLaren's lead, and the Woking team is aiming to maintain its advantage, taking advantage of the favourable starting position for both drivers.
Source statements: SkySportF1