Overview
- Qualifying at Interlagos was halted for more than 80 minutes by torrential rain and lightning, and Lando Norris produced the fastest Q3 lap to claim pole in the compressed, mixed‑tyre session on Saturday.
- A late crash by local rookie Rafael Câmara at Turn 12 triggered red flags that compressed final runs and limited opportunities for drivers to improve times.
- Teams confirmed several power‑unit changes that reshuffle the starting order: Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez will start from the back and Lewis Hamilton’s unit replacement will also see him start from the rear.
- George Russell’s Q2 time placed him second on the timing sheets but he faces a five‑place drop for an illegal engine change, while reports of ten‑place penalties for Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain inconsistent across live coverage and team statements.
- The mix of sudden weather, safety stoppages and accepted engine penalties will force teams to adopt different strategies on Sunday, making tyre choice and early overtaking at Interlagos decisive for race outcomes.