SAO PAULO: Lando Norris set up a chance to pad his one-point lead in Formula 1 by securing pole position for the sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Of his title rivals, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri will start third and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will be sixth.
“It was difficult and we did a good job,” Norris said on Friday.
Norris is coming off a win in Mexico City and leads the driver standings by one point over Piastri. Verstappen was 36 points back.
For the sprint pole, Norris beat Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by only 0.097 seconds and Piastri was just 0.185s behind.
“We did the job we needed to do which was to be fastest today,” Norris said.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was rapt with the results. Norris and Piastri were also 1-2 in the first practice on Friday.
“The mood is very positive,” Stella said. “We have what is needed. We have a fast car, two fast drivers, a team that is prepared and determined and we definitely will keep the fight going until the last corner in Abu Dhabi.”
Piastri has struggled lately; he’s winless in five races and has not reached the podium since Monza in Italy two months ago when he finished third.
Verstappen, who aims to become the fourth driver to win five world titles, knows how to win in Brazil after victories in 2019, 2023 and 2024, when he fought from 17th at the start.
“We are very excited by the idea that we could be the one that are attempting to kind of stop Verstappen’s dominance,” Stella said.
The Dutchman has shown great poise at Interlagos, a track featuring climbs and drops with changes of gradient. The middle sector has slow corners where aerodynamic downforce can make the difference.
The track is also renowned for its dramatic changes in weather. Rain is expected toward the end of Saturday and throughout Sunday. A year ago, the qualifying was canceled and moved to Sunday due to torrential downpours.
“It was a good day for us, but we will see tomorrow,” Piastri said with a smile. “it is going to be raining so everybody bring their rain jacket.”
Norris grabs the sprint pole at the Brazilian GP from title rivals
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Norris grabs the sprint pole at the Brazilian GP from title rivals
- “It was difficult and we did a good job,” Norris said on Friday.
- Norris is coming off a win in Mexico City and leads the driver standings by one point over Piastri. Verstappen was 36 points back
Southampton’s stunning fightback leaves Leicester in turmoil
LONDON: Southampton made an incredible late comeback from three goals down to beat crisis club Leicester 4-3 in the Championship on Tuesday.
Leicester interim manager Andy King looked set for his first victory since taking charge after first-half goals from Divine Mukasa, Patson Daka and Abdul Fatawu at the King Power Stadium.
But Southampton substitute Ross Stewart reduced the deficit in the 61st minute to spark the astonishing revival.
Leicester’s brittle confidence was exposed as Jack Stephens netted in the 82nd minute and Ryan Manning equalized five minutes later.
Shea Charles struck six minutes into stoppage time to snatch the points for Southampton in dramatic fashion, leaving King’s shell-shocked side without a win in six games.
Seven years after thrashing Southampton 9-0 at St. Mary’s, Leicester hit a devastating low of their own against the Saints.
Still searching for a permanent manager following Marti Cifuentes’ sacking, Leicester are outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
The Foxes were recently deducted six points by the Football League for breaches of financial regulations.
Birmingham missed the chance to move into the play-off places after they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Bromwich Albion at St. Andrew’s.
New West Brom boss Eric Ramsay remains winless but claimed a second successive draw to help his side move two points above the relegation zone.
Mohamed Toure hit a hat-trick as Norwich made it five wins from their last six matches with a 3-0 victory at second-bottom Oxford.
