Norris takes Brazilian GP pole as Russell rues costly call

Lando Norris took pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, his third in a row, after qualifying was held following an 83-minute rain delay. Norris made an error in Q2 that left him fortunate to make the top 10, but he was faultless in Q3, setting his time before the rain intensified again. He said it was his first time driving the car in the wet, and described the conditions as windy and challenging.

George Russell, who carries a five-place penalty for an engine change, believed he had the pace to top the session. A call from the pit wall to back off from Alex Albon and attempt another lap proved costly, as the rain got heavier at the wrong moment. Russell described it as a misjudgement on his team's side, saying they should have simply finished the lap.

Russell said he felt more confident in the wet than in the dry, adding that he felt more like himself in the fight for pole, but that the team did not execute when it mattered.