Norris beats Verstappen to pole for sprint race

2 years ago 44

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McLaren's Lando Norris beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen to pole position for Saturday's sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris' took his first Formula 1 pole by 0.061 seconds but was ruing not achieving his potential in qualifying for the grand prix on Friday.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez came third, despite having only used tyres for his lap.

Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth.

Alpha Tauri's Yuki Tsunoda came sixth while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, second on the grid behind Verstappen for the grand prix, could manage only seventh place, also restricted to used tyres.

He will line up ahead of Alpha Tauri's Daniel Ricciardo and the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. McLaren's Oscar Piastri was 10th. Both Sainz and Piastri were also on used tyres.

Norris said: "A great day. Honestly, it felt like one of the worst laps I've done so it's a little bit of surprise, but it's a good surprise. We made up for yesterday. My first pole in a long time, so I'm happy."

Norris felt he had been fast enough on Friday to take pole but will start the grand prix sixth after failing to maximise his pace in tricky conditions as rain approached the track.

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