During yesterday's qualifying we witnessed a very strong storm that hit the circuit Interlagos which interrupted the Q3 session, assigning pole position to Max Verstappen and an unexpected third position to Lance Stroll. Today, in the shootout qualifying for the Brazilian GP, the weather situation is completely different, but the qualifying, although a shootout, did not spare any twists and turns.
Alonso and Ocon in contact, what happened?
Very tight qualifying which sees all the drivers in less than a second after the first attempt, it is essential today more than ever to be truly precise. Precision nullified by one red flag caused by an unusual contact between the cars of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso which interrupts the qualification with 33 seconds to go. Ocon ends up on the wall while Fernando Alonso returns to the pits with a major puncture to the left front tire and damage to the suspension, will not resume the session, a great shame given yesterday's performance.
An unusual dynamic to see in qualifying, Ocon in the flying lap crosses Fernando Alonso who inexplicably closes the line. There was little space to pass but it was there, bad luck had it that Ocon lost the rear slightly and hit Alonso's car. The FIA communicates that the contact will be investigated at the end of the session, a difficult investigation for the Federation because it is true that Ocon lost control for a fraction of a second, but it is also true that Alonso dangerously closed the trajectory.
Eliminated from the Q1 Shootout: Stroll, Ocon, Zhou, Sargeant and Albon.
How much the track improves!
The start of the second shootout qualifying session has been postponed due to the removal of debris from the contact between the Aston Martin and the Alpine. We start again, with the sun beating down on the Brazilian asphalt, the challenge is still very intense and the track continues to improve, there are four tenths of a second that the last riders to cross the finish line could gain. Ferrari gives us hope by slipping between the two Red Bulls on the first attempt with Carlos Sainz's car no.55. Norris wants pole and doesn't hide his intent by setting the best time of the session, immediately behind him Sergio Perez and Verstappen. Daniel Ricciardo's lap was very good, confirming the good physical shape with which he returned after the injury. His teammate also makes the cut in tenth place, while the Ferraris are fifth and seventh, separated by Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.
Eliminated from Q2 Shooutout: Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Bottas and Fernando Alonso who does not take part in the session for the contact in Q1.
Lando Norris in pole position in the Brazil Sprint Shootout! Tactical choice in Ferrari
Nobody wants to take the first step, nobody wants to be the first to do the lap given the important evolution that the track continues to have. In short, there is only one shot left for everyone, for four minutes everything is at a standstill in the paddock, we wait. Only Perez, Sainz and Oscar Piastri did not have new tires for the last attempt. It is the latter who opens the dance, takes to the track bringing all the others with him. The Australian savors pole for a few seconds, because one after the other everyone overtakes him. However, his teammate, Lando Norris, is the one who wins the pole position. Behind him, in pairs, the two Red Bulls, Max and then Perez, and the two Mercedes with Russell ahead of Hamilton. Sixth was Tsunoda followed by Leclerc, who decided to save himself a set of soft tires in view of the races, behind him was Ricciardo, Sainz and Piastri in tenth place.
This is the starting grid for the sprint race which will start at 19pm todayFantasy coaches alert!
