Lando Norris Secures Pole Position at Brazilian Grand Prix, Offers Advice to Rival

Lando Norris of McLaren will start the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix from pole position, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes alongside him on the front row. Norris achieved a time of 1:09.511 in Q3, edging out Antonelli’s 1:09.685. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start third.

Norris, currently leading the drivers’ standings with 365 points, has a significant opportunity to extend his lead. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, will start from fourth place, while reigning champion Max Verstappen will begin from the back of the grid following a surprising Q1 elimination.

In a lighthearted moment, Norris advised Antonelli, “I’ve always been told you have to be nice to people older than you. So Kimi, be nice!” Norris acknowledged feeling pressure during qualifying, stating, “It was tough out there with the conditions… I was under a bit of pressure because I locked up on my first lap, but I stayed calm and put it all together when it mattered.”

Antonelli reflected on his qualifying performance, saying, “It was a good session overall… The soft [tyre] lap was a bit of a shame during the second to last sector, but still a decent lap. P2 for tomorrow, so a lot to fight for.” This year’s Brazilian Grand Prix presents a chance for Norris to improve on his 2024 result, where he finished sixth. With Verstappen starting from the back, Norris is well-positioned to further solidify his lead in the drivers’ standings.