Lando Norris secured pole position at the 2026 Formula 1® Brazilian Grand Prix after a challenging qualifying session marked by heavy rain and difficult track conditions at Interlagos. His fastest lap of 1m27.470s on intermediate tyres put him ahead of a competitive field in a session that tested the drivers' skill and adaptability.
The qualifying was heavily disrupted by over an hour of delays due to persistent rain and standing water on the circuit, leading to multiple red flags. Norris’s performance stood out as he managed to deliver a clean and quick lap despite the tricky conditions. Mercedes’ George Russell was second fastest, just 0.204 seconds behind Norris, although he faces a five-place grid penalty for a power unit change and was instructed by his team to abort a flying lap in the final phase of qualifying.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified third, six tenths off Norris’s pace, while Charles Leclerc was fourth fastest but will start further down the grid due to a 10-place engine penalty. This penalty promotes Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson to third on the starting grid, highlighting Lawson’s strong showing amid pressure over his seat. Nico Hulkenberg of Audi qualified sixth, followed by Red Bull Racing’s Isack Hadjar and Haas driver Oliver Bearman. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Williams’ Alex Albon completed the top ten.
The wet conditions made tyre choice critical, with drivers switching between intermediate and full wet tyres throughout the session. Several incidents occurred due to the slippery surface, including a crash for Haas rookie Rafael Camara in Q2, who nonetheless advanced to that stage, much to the delight of local fans. Alpine struggled in the conditions, with both of their drivers eliminated in Q1 due to a lack of grip. Other drivers, such as Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, also faced difficulties navigating the wet track.
Notably, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid after receiving engine penalties. Hamilton was knocked out in Q2, while Verstappen did not participate in Q2. These penalties will significantly affect their race strategies and starting positions.
This qualifying session underlined the challenges of racing at Interlagos in wet weather, where driver skill and tyre management become paramount. Norris’s pole position marks a significant achievement for McLaren in these conditions, while the grid penalties for some front-runners will reshape the starting order for the Brazilian Grand Prix.