Overview
- Norris leads the standings on 365 points ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen third on 326, and three Grands Prix left after Interlagos.
- Verstappen switches to a new power unit and other components after qualifying 16th and will start from the pit lane in a bid to keep faint championship hopes alive.
- The front row features Norris and Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was second in both the sprint and qualifying, with Charles Leclerc third and Piastri fourth.
- Racing Bulls impressed with Isack Hadjar qualifying fifth and Liam Lawson seventh, while Lewis Hamilton lines up 13th for Ferrari.
- Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto walked away uninjured from a sprint crash and, after missing qualifying during repairs, will start from the back in his home debut.