The Team McLaren drivers monopolize the front row of the grid for the sprint of the São Paulo Grand Prix. Australian Oscar Piastri wins the duel against Briton Lando Norris.
Norris had dominated the only practice session three hours before the start of qualifying for the sprint and was also clearly superior to the competition in the first two parts of qualifying. But when it counted, Piastri came out on top by a narrow margin. On the decisive lap, the young Australian was 29 thousandths faster than Norris, who nevertheless has the opportunity to make up some ground on Max Verstappen, who leads the championship standings by 47 points.
This is the second time Piastri has secured the best grid position ahead of a Formula 1 sprint race. The same was the case last season at the Qatar Grand Prix. Piastri took advantage of the ideal starting position to take his only victory in this format to date.
Verstappen, the winner of the last six sprint races this season, will have to settle for fourth place on the grid in the Red Bull. Monegasque Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari was also faster than the world champion.
Verstappen will be competing this weekend with a new combustion engine and will therefore have to accept being moved back five places on the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. The penalty, which only applies to the main stage, is the result of the fact that Verstappen's car has already been fitted with the sixth engine of the current season. According to the regulations, four are permitted.
The Sauber team duo appears in the final quarter of the standings. Finland's Valtteri Bottas at least made it through the first tranche of qualifying, securing 15th place on the grid, while his team-mate Zhou Guanyu once again struggled to find his feet. He will once again start from the back of the grid.
SDA
