Image: from McLaren X@McLarenF1
By Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
Lando Norris continued his dominant 2025 Formula 1 season by securing pole position for the São Paulo Grand Prix. During Saturday’s qualifying session at Interlagos, the McLaren driver set the pace with an impressive lap of 1:09.511, earning his sixth pole of the year and reaffirming his title-contending form.
Right behind him, Kimi Antonelli once again showed his growing confidence behind the wheel of the Mercedes, clocking a time just 0.174 seconds slower than Norris. Charles Leclerc completed the top three for Ferrari, marking another strong qualifying performance for the Monegasque driver.
Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri took fourth place, just ahead of Isack Hadjar, who impressed in fifth for Racing Bulls. George Russell, Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hülkenberg rounded out the top ten.
Further down the order, Fernando Alonso placed 11th in the Aston Martin, followed closely by Alexander Albon in the Williams, and Lewis Hamilton, who continues to adjust to life at Ferrari. Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz, and Max Verstappen all endured difficult sessions, finishing outside the top ten. Verstappen, notably, could only manage 16th after struggling with grip throughout qualifying.
Lando Norris stormed to his sixth pole of the season at Interlagos 💪
Ride onboard with the McLaren driver as he masters the dips, twists and turns of this iconic track 🇧🇷#F1 #BrazilGP @pirellisport pic.twitter.com/nOha0oClng
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 8, 2025
The bottom of the table saw was occupied by Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto, and Yuki Tsunoda. At the same time, Gabriel Bortoleto, racing in front of his home crowd, was unable to participate due to technical issues with his Sauber-Ferrari.
The São Paulo Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, November 9, at 2 p.m. local time (Brasília). With Norris starting from pole and Antonelli alongside him on the front row, fans can expect another thrilling battle as the McLaren driver seeks to extend his championship lead under the Brazilian sun.
São Paulo Grand Prix – Qualifying Results:
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Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes) – 1:09.511
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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.174s
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.294s
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes) – +0.375s
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Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT) – +0.420s
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George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.431s
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Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT) – +0.451s
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Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari) – +0.466s
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Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Renault) – +0.491s
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Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Ferrari) – +0.528s
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Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes)
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Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
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Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
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Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Mercedes)
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Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT)
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Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
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Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Renault)
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Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull/Honda RBPT)
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Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Ferrari)