P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris seized a crucial pole position in a chaotic wet qualifying session which saw Max Verstappen be eliminated in Q2 at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Due to torrential downpours and thunderstorms, the qualifying session was postponed to Sunday morning instead of its usual Saturday slot. In the history of F1, when qualifying and the race were held on the same day, it was usually a German driver who secured pole position. Surprisingly, Nico Hulkenberg claimed the pole position in Brazil in 2010, proving to be an unexpected outcome. Despite deteriorating conditions during Q1, drivers queued in the pit lane waiting for the green light to go out on the treacherous track. The session was briefly halted when Franco Colapinto crashed, affecting Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, known for his wet weather skills, struggled and failed to improve, ending up in 14th place. Eventually, Max Verstappen dominated Q1 and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri made a strategic tire change to outpace the competition.
