McLaren's Lando Norris In Pole For Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint Race

Lando Norris of McLaren secured pole position for the sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Saturday when he outpaced world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 0.061 seconds. It was the Briton's first Formula One pole position since he took the prime starting position for the 2021 Russian Grand Prix at Sochi.  "It's a great day," he said. "Or at least a good day, but it felt like one of the worst laps I have done! So, it's a surprise, but a good surprise. My first pole in a long time so I am happy.  Sergio Perez was third in the second Red Bull ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton with Yuki Tsunoda sixth for Alpha Tauri. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who qualified second behind Verstappen for Sunday's Grand Prix, was unable to improve on seventh ahead of Daniel Riccardo in the second Alpha Tauri, Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari and Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.

After the torrential thunderstorm that ended Friday's qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix race, the sprint ‘shootout' session began in bright, dry and warm conditions with temperatures of 24 degrees (air) and 45 (track).

The welcome improvement was accompanied by news that last year's race winner George Russell had been handed a two-place grid penalty for impeding Pierre Gasly's Alpine as he left the pits. He will drop from sixth to eighth.

Verstappen clocked an early fastest lap before Sainz in 1:11.796 took control ahead of Hamilton by 0.074 seconds before more late drama when Esteban Ocon in his Alpine collided with Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin.

The three-time champion picked up a puncture as the Frenchman slewed across the track and spun into the barriers. The session was promptly red-flagged which meant an early exit for