Source – Formula1.com
Oscar Piastri has jumped to a commanding pole position in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint. The McLaren driver narrowly defeated teammate Lando Norris in the closing seconds to win the honor.
In a dramatic Sprint Qualifying session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri seized pole position from teammate Lando Norris, stunning fans and competitors alike with a nail-biting finish. The intense battle at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace saw Norris lead throughout the initial segments, SQ1 and SQ2, consistently setting the pace and looking unstoppable. But Piastri’s last-gasp lap of 1m 08.899s in SQ3 saw him edge out his teammate by a razor-thin margin of just 0.029 seconds, securing pole for McLaren in a thrilling session that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Norris had established himself as the driver to beat in the early rounds, effortlessly leading the field in SQ1 and SQ2 and outpacing his rivals by a considerable margin. With his smooth consistency and blistering pace, he seemed set for pole. His opening run in SQ3 again put him on provisional pole with a strong lap, but Piastri, taking full advantage of the clear track, clinched the top spot in the final moments, leaving Norris to settle for a close second. The McLaren pair’s rivalry only added to the excitement, with Piastri showcasing his talent by taking the crucial Sprint pole position, marking a significant milestone in his rookie season.
Charles Leclerc slotted his Ferrari into third place, keeping the Scuderia’s hopes high with a solid showing. Just behind him was reigning champion Max Verstappen, who aimed to maintain his streak of Sprint victories, positioned in fourth for Red Bull. Carlos Sainz followed closely in fifth in the other Ferrari, with George Russell taking sixth for Mercedes after a commendable performance. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly showed consistent form by securing P7, while Liam Lawson of Red Bull also impressed, landing in P8. Williams’ Alex Albon continued his strong run by clinching P9, while Haas’s stand-in driver, Ollie Bearman, rounded out the top 10. Bearman’s final lap was deleted for exceeding track limits, which left him without a registered time in SQ3 but nonetheless in a strong position for the race.
The first two segments saw some notable surprises and a few big-name exits. Lewis Hamilton failed to make it through SQ2, finishing in P11, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also found himself out of contention in P13 after missing the opportunity for a final flying lap. Nico Hulkenberg of Haas took P12, while the Sprint Qualifying format posed a challenge for some familiar faces. Williams’ Franco Colapinto ended his session in P14, and Valtteri Bottas of Kick Sauber concluded SQ2 in P15.
SQ1 proved even more challenging, with Aston Martin experiencing a double disappointment. Fernando Alonso, unable to claw his way up the ranks, found himself pushed down to P16, and his teammate, Lance Stroll, also failed to advance, finishing in P19. Other early eliminations included Alpine’s Esteban Ocon in 17th, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda in 18th, and Zhou Guanyu for Kick Sauber, who brought up the rear in P20.
SQ1 set the stage for the excitement, with Norris leading the way on a rapidly evolving track. Cooler conditions greeted the drivers as they took to the medium tires, pushing hard to get a grip on the newly resurfaced surface. Initially, Piastri took the lead with a quick 1m 10.265s lap, closely followed by Hulkenberg and Lawson. A deleted lap for Colapinto put him under pressure, and he soon found himself in the elimination zone. The closing minutes of SQ1 were filled with frantic final runs as drivers scrambled to avoid the cut, with Norris ultimately surging to P1 with an impressive 1m 09.477s, while Aston Martin’s struggles were evident as Alonso and Stroll exited the session.
The intensity only ramped up in SQ2, as dark clouds loomed overhead, prompting drivers to hit the track early. Norris again delivered an impressive lap, clocking in at 1m 09.063s and setting himself comfortably at the top. Verstappen’s early purple sectors hinted at a challenge, but he ultimately settled for second in the segment. Hamilton and Perez, both close to the danger zone, found themselves unable to improve enough in the final minutes, resulting in their untimely exit from Sprint Qualifying. Bearman, in a crucial late push, moved up to fifth, while Hulkenberg’s hopes were dashed as he finished in P12. The last-minute shuffles left Perez and Hamilton in 13th and 11th, respectively, while Colapinto and Bottas completed the list of SQ2 dropouts.
The final segment, SQ3, saw McLaren’s duo charging out of the pits with the soft tires, ready to lock down the front row. Norris set a solid benchmark with a 1m 08.928s, a lap that nearly secured pole until Piastri delivered his final, game-changing run. Bearman’s early mishap at Turn 2 cost him a competitive time, with his lap ultimately deleted due to track limits. Meanwhile, Leclerc slotted into third, with Verstappen, Sainz, and Russell completing the top three rows.
As the clock ran out, Piastri’s stellar performance secured him the top spot, bringing another pole position to McLaren and a sense of achievement for the young driver. The final grid for the Sprint showcases a mix of established and emerging talents, promising a thrilling race ahead. With Piastri and Norris leading the charge and a fiercely competitive pack behind them, all eyes are on the Sao Paulo Sprint, where speed, strategy, and skill will be put to the ultimate test.
