Lando Norris’ bid to win a maiden F1 world championship received a seismic boost at Interlagos after he secured pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix, with rival Max Verstappen a surprise 17th.
Verstappen was ruled out of a chaotic wet qualifying on Sunday morning, carried out a day after Saturday’s race was abandoned due to bad weather.
The three-time world champion was sure to increase his time in the wet conditions but Lance Stroll’s crash resulted in an astonishing third of the five red flags, and Q2 was abandoned.
It leaves a furious Verstappen in 12th and, with the Dutchman to serve a five-place engine penalty, he will way down the order for the 71-lap race later Sunday.
Follow all the latest updates from the Brazilian Grand Prix:
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: The race will start at 15:30 (GMT)
It has stopped raining. We are looking good for 12:30 pm local time – that’s 15:30 in the UK.
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 3:04 p.m
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Time for the Brazilian national anthem in Sao Paulo!
Performed by Daniel Camillo,
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 3:17 p.m
GP F1 Brazil LIVE: Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone on the grid..
“I’m happy to be here.
“I’m rooting for the winner here, Max. I’m rooting for him, that’s all.
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 3:14 p.m
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Lando Norris’s race engineer Will Joseph…
“We have no worries. The weather is dry, whether it will be dry for the start of the race, we are not sure. I don’t want to give too much away.
“We focus on the race itself, doing as much as we can.”
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 3:12 p.m
Alex Albon withdrew from the Brazilian GP after a major crash in qualifying
The Williams driver crashed his car in the final stages of qualifying amid wet conditions at Interlagos.
Despite qualifying seventh fastest, Williams mechanics were unable to repair Albon’s smashed car in time for the race at 12:30 local time.
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 3:08 p.m
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Pit lane open
The car is out on track for a reconassiance lap at Interlagos.
The track was wet but it hadn’t actually rained yet. However, rain is on the way – what tires will start?
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 3:00 p.m
Confirm the final starting box:
NB: The seventh point – where Albon finished in qualifying – on the grid will be released. And Verstappen will remain P17 due to the penalty.
Pit lane. Carlos Sainz (started in the pit lane due to damage sustained during the crash in qualifying)
DNS. Alex Alban (withdrawn from grand prix due to car damage from crash in qualifying)
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 2:53 p.m
BREAKING: Carlos Sainz will start in the pit lane
Sainz – after a crash in qualifying – has taken a new power unit and gearbox and Ferrari will start in the pit-lane.
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 2:45 p.m
James Vowles, Williams team principal:
“It’s a sad day for the team. We’re here to race and nobody wants to be in this situation.
“The most important thing is that all the drivers who had incidents in Qualifying are fine, including Alex and Franco. Despite the best efforts of the hard-working, talented and tenacious team, there was not enough time to fix Alex’s car in time for the Grand Prix.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow at the end of a difficult triple-header, especially when both drivers showed great pace this morning. We will focus on maximizing this evening with Franco and putting on a show for the incredible fans in Brazil.
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 2:40 p.m
BREAKING: Alex Albon out of Brazilian Grand Prix
Williams’ statement: In early Qualifying this morning, ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, Williams Racing suffered significant crash damage to both cars after an incident in adverse weather conditions.
Unfortunately, after assessing the extensive damage suffered by Alex Albon’s car, the necessary repairs could not be completed in the short time between Qualifying and the Race. The team was therefore forced to retire Alex’s car for the rest of the Grand Prix.
Franco Colapinto will take part in the Grand Prix this afternoon.
Kieran JacksonNovember 3, 2024 2:31 p.m
