3 hours after the end of the sprint race, the Formula 1 back on track for Qualifying for the Brazilian GP: the fastest of the day was once again Lando Norris, who achieved the best time of the day ahead of Antonelli and Leclerc. Qualifying which saw several twists, such as the elimination of Verstappen in Q1 and Hamilton in Q2.
The sprint race is over, qualifying begins in Brazil!
With a 5 minute delay caused by a poorly positioned barrier and cloudy skies, we take to the track in InterlagosSome drivers, like Alonso, are running on the medium tyres, although most are using the softer tyres. In these qualifying sessions, the difficulties in Brazil for Oscar Piastri, who, on his first attempt, locked up at Turn 1 and lost more than a second to teammate Lando Norris. Meanwhile, Sauber's mechanics are working tirelessly to get Bortoleto back on track, after he completely wrecked his car a few hours earlier.
Plot twist: Max Verstappen eliminated in Q1
The track evolves as the minutes pass and everyone improves significantly: no one will be able to relax in this session. One above all is Max Verstappen, who with 3 minutes to go occupies an unusual sixteenth position and after using the new tyre will have to make his last attempt with used rubber. Everyone goes for the last lap and finally, incredibly, Verstappen improves but doesn't climb above sixteenth position. The Dutchman hasn't been eliminated in Q1 since 2021., with McLaren able to breathe a sigh of relief. The other eliminated drivers are Ocon, Colapinto, Tsunoda and Bortoleto, who didn't make it onto the track. Gasly and Bearman did very well, finishing second and third respectively.
Norris fastest in Q2, Hamilton eliminated
After the first attempt of the second part of Qualifying Bearman proves to be very fast Here in Brazil, he sets the fastest time in Q2 with several drivers, including Norris, complaining about the lack of grip. Following Bearman are Antonelli and Piastri, while the Ferraris are in tenth place, with Hamilton, and thirteenth with Leclerc. In search of grip, everyone takes to the track with new tires, but despite this, many struggle, especially in the final sector. Hamilton has great difficulty, first failing his attempt, and then with used tires he is unable to improve further and finishes his qualifying in 13th position. Alonso is the first of the eliminated, followed by Albon, Stroll and SainzHulkenberg saved himself tenth place and flew into Q3, just like yesterday's sprint qualifying. Both Racing Bulls, Gasly and Bearman, also performed well, all finishing in the top 10.
Qualifying concludes in Brazil: Lando Norris takes pole
We're back on track for a Q3 that promises to be a very close one. And the drivers don't disappoint: after the first attempt there are 4 pilots in a tenthPiastri is first, just two thousandths ahead of Leclerc. Bearman and Antonelli complete the top four. Russell, Gasly, Lawson, Hadjar, Hülkenberg and Norris follow, who committed a serious mistake in turn 1 and will need one last clean lap.
We're off to the final lap of qualifying for the Brazilian GP and Norris puts on a show of forceDespite the pressure, the Englishman did everything very well and achieved the fastest time (1.09.511). Completing the top 3 is an excellent Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, while Piastri finished fourth, narrowly ahead of Hadjar. Russell finished sixth, having tried everything he could, fitting the medium tyre for his final attempt, followed by Lawson, Bearman, Gasly, and Hülkenberg.
The appointment now is for the race, scheduled for tomorrow at 18:00 PM.
