Oscar Piastri fourth as teammate Lando Norris excels
Verstappen’s title hopes hit as he is 16th and out in Q1
Lando Norris claimed pole position for the São Paulo Grand Prix, his championship ambitions backed with a real statement of intent having already secured victory in the sprint race earlier on Saturday.
His success was given added impetus as both his title rivals, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, suffered disappointment in Brazil. Piastri’s championship hopes took yet another blow as he crashed out of the sprint and qualified only in fourth, while Verstappen could manage only 16th on the grid.
Verstappen had already dropped points to Norris after he was fourth in the sprint for Red Bull and the British driver now has the chance to put genuine daylight on both his rivals. At this race last year Verstappen came back from 17th to win but that was in the wet and when he was not suffering from a compromised setup. The world champion now needs an immense drive on Sunday to keep his chances alive.
