F1 Full Results | Lando Norris takes Pole Position for São Paulo GP

Norris' lap time of 1:27.470 was enough to pip Russell to top spot by two tenths at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, with Kimi Antonelli completing the top three.

However, several engine penalties to the front runners have flipped Sunday's Grand Prix starting grid upside down, with arch rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton set to start from the back of the grid.

Russell himself will receive a five-place grid penalty, while new father Charles Leclerc takes a 10-place penalty after finishing P4.

With the rain hammering São Paulo, drivers were barely on track before the Red Flag was called in Q1, as Antonelli complained of aquaplaning on his out lap, while Norris suffered a scare on full wet tyres.

After nearly a 90 minute delay, which saw three assessments from the Safety Car, the cars were back on track. Wet weather specialist Verstappen impressed to take P1 after the first set of flying runs, but it quickly became a case of the last man to cross the line having the best shot of first place, with Nico Hulkenberg taking P1 on a number of occasions in Q1.

It was ultimately Norris on top in Q1, with Haas rookie Rafa Camara impressing to make it through on debut. The two Alpine drivers, Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly could not progress, however, as well as Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Q2 began with Verstappen's withdrawal from the action, with the Dutchman set to start at the back of the grid, alongside Hamilton, who finished P11 in Q2 which ended early after Camara's crash brought out the Red Flag.

That saw Oscar Piastri miss out on a shot in Q3, he qualified behind Hamilton but ahead of Camara, Arvid Lindblad, Carlos Sainz, and Verstappen. Fernando Alonso managed to reach Q3 - the first time an Aston Martin driver has done so in 2026.

With Q3's running action coming to a premature end as the rain re-intensified, Norris took Pole ahead of a frustrated Russell, who complained on the radio over traffic and having been told to back off.