Norris takes pole position at rain-delayed São Paulo Grand Prix

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 21:21 · Archive

Lando Norris claimed pole position for McLaren in wet qualifying at the São Paulo Grand Prix, with the session delayed by heavy rain.

Lando Norris took pole position for McLaren at the São Paulo Grand Prix in wet qualifying at Interlagos. George Russell set the second fastest time, 0.204 seconds behind Norris. The session was delayed by heavy rain, with qualifying taking between two and a half hours to complete.

Russell has a five-place grid penalty for exceeding his permitted number of engine parts, promoting Mercedes' new world champion Kimi Antonelli to second on the grid. Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson moves up to third following Ferrari's Charles Leclerc receiving a 10-place penalty. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both took new engine components and will start from 21st and 20th respectively. Leclerc finished qualifying fourth but will start 14th. The penalties put Mercedes in a strong position to close the constructors' championship on Sunday, needing to outscore Ferrari by three points.

The wet conditions had a levelling effect on the field. Several drivers benefited from the weather, including Nico Hulkenberg, Oliver Bearman and Fernando Alonso, who qualified higher than usual. Brazilian Rafael Camara will line up 11th on his F1 debut, despite crashing his Haas during qualifying.

How it is being reported

• Lando Norris takes pole at Interlagos after chaotic qualifying sessionLando Norris takes pole at Interlagos after chaotic qualifying sessionThe Telegraph · 7 Nov, 21:41
• Lando Norris claims pole for F1 São Paulo GP as rain disrupts qualifyingMcLaren driver fastest ahead of Mercedes duo Antonelli to start on front row alongside Norris Lando Norris took pole position for McLaren at the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, with George Russell setting the second fastest time. Russell put in a strong lap in very tricky wet conditions during a qualifying session that took two and a half hours to complete because of heavy rain. However the British driver has a grid penalty, promoting new world champion Kimi Antonelli to second and the Racing Bulls’ driver Liam Lawson to third. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were also amongst a raft…The Guardian · 7 Nov, 20:53
• Norris takes pole in rain-delayed qualifyingMcLaren's Lando Norris takes pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a wet qualifying session at Interlagos delayed by nearly an hour and a half for heavy rain.BBC News · 7 Nov, 20:48
• Norris claims Sao Paulo GP pole after treacherous rain-hit qualifyingLando Norris claimed pole position after a hugely-challenging Sao Paulo Grand Prix qualifying in treacherous wet conditions, for a race that will see Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen start at the back of the grid.Sky Sports · 7 Nov, 19:00

In this story: Lando Norris · George Russell · Kimi Antonelli · Liam Lawson · McLaren · Mercedes · Interlagos · São Paulo

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