Overview
- Lando Norris secured pole position, with Max Verstappen second, in a wet session marked by aquaplaning and rapidly evolving lap times.
- Carlos Sainz provisionally qualified third but was summoned over a possible unsafe rejoin with Lance Stroll that could change the grid.
- Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in Q1 and will start 20th, while Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto lines up 18th after also exiting in Q1.
- George Russell qualified fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth, a result that helps Norris protect his points lead heading into the penultimate stretch.
- Earlier running was repeatedly interrupted after a Turn 17 manhole cover was found to be improperly fixed, prompting FIA-confirmed red flags and renewing safety concerns at the street circuit.