F1 Brazil Qualifying: Verstappen Takes Pole as Hamilton Surprises in Interlagos
The Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying session delivered a thrilling spectacle at Interlagos, with Max Verstappen securing pole position for Red Bull, ahead of teammate Sergio Perez and a resurgent Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes.
A Masterclass from Verstappen
Verstappen, chasing a record-breaking fifth consecutive pole in Brazil, delivered a masterful performance in Q3. He managed to navigate the tricky conditions, with intermittent rain showers throughout the session, to post the fastest time of 1:10.312. This puts him in prime position to claim his second consecutive Brazilian Grand Prix victory.
Perez Challenges, but Falls Short
Verstappen's teammate, Perez, also put in a strong showing, finishing just 0.172 seconds behind. He battled for the lead throughout the session but ultimately couldn't match Verstappen's pace.
Hamilton's Resurgence
The biggest surprise of the session came from Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion, who has struggled for pace in recent races, delivered a stellar performance to secure third place. Hamilton's strong qualifying comes as a welcome boost for Mercedes, who have been searching for consistency throughout the season.
Ferrari Struggles Continue
Unfortunately for Ferrari, the qualifying session didn't go to plan. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fifth and sixth, respectively, behind the impressive Fernando Alonso in fourth. This is yet another disappointing qualifying result for the Scuderia, who have struggled to match Red Bull's pace in recent races.
Q2 Drama
The drama unfolded in Q2 as the rain intensified. Several drivers, including George Russell, Esteban Ocon, and Valtteri Bottas, were caught out by the sudden downpour and failed to progress to Q3. This adds another layer of intrigue to the race, with several drivers starting outside the top 10.
The Grid Lineup
Here is the full starting grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
- Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
- Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
- Nyck de Vries (AlphaTauri)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Logan Sargeant (Williams)
- Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
A Thrilling Race Awaits
With Verstappen starting from pole position, the Brazilian Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race. The unpredictable weather conditions and the competitive grid lineup set the stage for an intense battle for the lead.
Stay tuned for a captivating race as drivers fight for victory at Interlagos.