Overview
- Lando Norris set the fastest time in a rain‑hit qualifying session and claimed pole position after a disrupted session at Interlagos.
- Qualifying was repeatedly halted by torrential rain and a crash by Haas rookie Rafael Câmara, producing an extended delay and frantic tyre calls for crews.
- Several teams carried out late power‑unit work that triggered stewarded grid penalties, with Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez relegated to the back of the grid.
- George Russell’s five‑place penalty will promote Mercedes team‑mate Kimi Antonelli to the front row and moves Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg into prominent starting slots.
- The combination of heavy rain, on‑track incidents and the reshuffled grid raises the odds of safety cars, strategic gambles and opportunistic podiums for midfield drivers on race day.