Lawson admits Q3 error at Sao Paulo GP, to start third

Liam Lawson has taken responsibility for a mistake in Q3 of a wet and difficult qualifying session for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos. He qualified fifth on the road but moves up to third after George Russell and Charles Leclerc receive grid penalties. That matches Lawson's best grid position, set at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Lawson said he got too close to Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin on his first lap, which forced him to catch the two-time champion in the conditions and then abort his final lap. He described the cars as having plenty of horsepower but little grip, making them difficult to control in the rain.

Looking ahead to the race, Lawson said heavy rain could make driving impossible and lead to red flags, adding that the start had been borderline due to aquaplaning.