Norris Takes São Paulo Sprint Pole with Antonelli Alongside on the Front Row as Title Fight Intensifies

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Lando Norris produced a masterful display at Interlagos to seize pole position for the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix Sprint, placing his McLaren at the head of the field and setting up another crucial showdown in the championship battle. Alongside him on the front row will be Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who delivered a stunning performance to secure second, confirming his rapid rise as one of Formula 1’s brightest young stars.

Norris was in control from the opening stages of the Sprint Shoot out, finding time in every sector as the track evolved. His final lap was a showcase of precision and confidence, threading his McLaren through the tight Senna S and carrying immense speed down the Reta Oposta. Antonelli, meanwhile, stunned many with his pace on the soft tyres, briefly taking provisional pole before Norris responded with a blistering final effort.

Oscar Piastri made it an all McLaren Mercedes top three, finishing just a few tenths behind his teammate after a small error through Juncão cost him dearly. Max Verstappen followed in fourth, struggling to find front end grip in his Red Bull despite showing strong pace in the middle sector. Behind them, Fernando Alonso impressed in fifth, while Charles Leclerc salvaged sixth for Ferrari after battling oversteer through much of the session.

The Interlagos circuit once again proved unpredictable, with fluctuating temperatures and gusty winds keeping teams guessing on tyre strategy. Those who gambled on an early soft tyre run were caught out as the track continued to evolve, while the top runners timed their final laps perfectly in the closing minutes.

Norris, who leads Piastri by just a handful of points in the drivers’ standings, described his lap as one of his best of the season. “That was a really good one,” he said. “We got everything right at the end, and the car felt amazing. It’s going to be a tough fight tonight, but we’re in the best possible place to start.”

Antonelli, thrilled with his front row start, credited the Mercedes crew for delivering a perfectly balanced car. “We made great progress through the session,” he said. “It feels amazing to be starting next to Lando. Hopefully, we can make it interesting off the line.”

McLaren team principal Zak Brown praised both drivers for maintaining focus under pressure as the title fight tightens. “Lando and Oscar are pushing each other every weekend, and that’s lifting the whole team,” Brown said. “To have both cars consistently at the front shows how far we’ve come.”

The Sprint race begins tonight at 7 PM local time, with points on the line and the championship momentum hanging in the balance. With Norris on pole, Antonelli beside him, and Piastri lurking in third, fans can expect another intense evening of racing under the lights at Interlagos a circuit where drama is never far away.