McLaren’s Lando Norris said taking pole position for Saturday’s sprint race was a “good start” to his Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend.
The Briton said he was “confident” in dry conditions, but the sprint – which is due to start at 14:00 GMT, 11:00 in Sao Paulo – could be affected by an expected overnight storm.
“We have to prepare for both conditions,” said Norris, who starts two places ahead of team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri.
“I expect the morning to be heavy rain and incredibly windy. Let’s wait and see what happens.”
Norris, who heads Piastri by one point in the championship after winning the Mexico City Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 0.097 seconds in sprint qualifying, while Piastri was 0.185secs adrift of the Briton in third.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the only other realistic title contender at 36 points behind Norris, could manage only sixth, beaten by Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
Norris added: “Car has been performing well. Not nice enough that I’m happy about everything. Some things to improve on for qualifying. Sprint race, if I can cruise to victory that would be beautiful.”
Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in the second session and qualified 11th in his Ferrari, his final lap in the second session ruined when team-mate Charles Leclerc spun in front of him out of Turn 10.
Hamilton also faces an investigation for failing to slow sufficiently for the yellow flags waved when Leclerc lost control.
Norris’ result is the best possible start to the weekend and gives him the opportunity to build his championship lead – eight points are awarded to the winner of the sprint, seven for second and so on down to eighth place.
Norris topped all three sessions in sprint qualifying and had a comfortable advantage over Piastri throughout.
He said: “It was a little bit tougher than I would have liked. But we did the job we needed to do, which was to be fastest today.
“Qualifying is always one of the best things here. It’s difficulty, it’s bumpy, it’s tricky, always a joy, always puts a smile on your face.
“But a long weekend, another qualifying and another couple of races to go but a good start.” (BBC)
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