Lando Norris celebrated his 20th Formula 1 pole position after topping a rain-affected qualifying session for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix. The McLaren driver overcame difficult conditions, strong winds and repeated interruptions at Interlagos to secure his second consecutive pole position at the São Paulo circuit. Speaking after qualifying, the Briton expressed his satisfaction with the result and explained how he adapted to driving the new-generation Formula 1 cars in wet conditions.
The session proved particularly complicated as persistent rain disrupted proceedings and forced drivers to contend with changing levels of grip. Despite the uncertainty, Norris delivered another impressive qualifying performance, adding a significant milestone to his career while giving McLaren pole position for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris celebrates 20th F1 pole position after dramatic Brazilian GP qualifying
After securing the fastest lap at Interlagos, Norris reflected on a demanding afternoon in which avoiding mistakes had been just as important as outright speed. With the weather threatening to deteriorate further, the British driver and his team focused on completing as many laps as possible while adapting to the changing conditions.
“It’s been a long day and a great qualifying session. To come back here and take pole position for the second year in a row, in different conditions, makes me very happy,” Norris said.
“The conditions were difficult and it looked like it was going to rain even more heavily. We completed a lot of laps without making mistakes. That was exactly what we needed to do.”
The challenging circumstances were evident throughout qualifying, with torrential rain forcing an early red flag at Interlagos. Drivers had to contend with standing water and poor visibility before conditions improved sufficiently for the session to continue.
Lando Norris explains how he adapted to the 2026 F1 cars in wet conditions
One of the most significant challenges for Norris was understanding how the 2026 Formula 1 machinery behaved on a wet circuit. The McLaren driver explained that qualifying effectively provided his first opportunity to experience these cars in such conditions, making rapid adaptation particularly important.
“Essentially, this was the first time we’d driven these cars in the wet, and I understood fairly quickly how to manage them. It was also quite windy,” Norris explained.
The combination of unfamiliar wet-weather handling characteristics and strong winds made the qualifying session especially demanding. Nevertheless, Norris was able to find the necessary confidence to secure the fastest lap while avoiding costly errors.
McLaren gathers valuable information ahead of Brazilian Grand Prix
Although delighted with his qualifying performance, Norris acknowledged that the battle at the front remains competitive. The information gathered during the wet session could prove useful for McLaren as the team prepares for Sunday’s race.
“We’ve gathered a lot of information for tomorrow, but the others are close too,” the British driver added.
Norris’s achievement was the standout result of a dramatic afternoon, with the full Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying classification reflecting an unpredictable session affected by heavy rain and several interruptions.
For Norris, the result represents his 20th career pole position and his second consecutive qualifying triumph at Interlagos. Having successfully negotiated the difficult conditions, the McLaren driver now turns his attention to converting that starting advantage into a strong result in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Leave a Reply