Norris takes pole in rain-delayed qualifying

McLaren driver Lando Norris secured pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a rain-affected qualifying session at Interlagos. The session was delayed by nearly an hour and a half due to dangerous wet conditions. Norris edged out Mercedes driver George Russell by 0.204 seconds to claim his first pole position since the Spanish Grand Prix in September.

Grid penalties reshuffled the starting order behind Norris. Russell faces a five-place penalty, promoting Kimi Antonelli to second, while Charles Leclerc received a 10-place penalty that elevates Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson to third. Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton will both start from the back of the grid because of engine penalties.