The Sprint qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix was particularly unusual, shaped by a combination of factors: just one free practice session, extremely high track temperatures (expected to drop quickly), resurfaced sections that teams hadn’t tested before, and a tyre compound range that was tricky to interpret. These elements created unpredictable car behaviour as drivers switched to the softer tyres.
Nobody truly nailed the setup – McLaren the least troubled, Norris shines again
In such a complex scenario, no car seemed truly well-balanced or perfectly set up. It was more a matter of who could minimize the problems. In that regard, McLaren emerged as the best overall package — or rather, the least problematic — benefiting from excellent tyre temperature management, high downforce levels in slower corners, and a notable step forward in aerodynamic efficiency on the straights. This last aspect represents an evolution compared to earlier in the season and suggests targeted work by the team to improve performance during on-track battles, which are frequent at the fast and technical Interlagos circuit.
Amid all this, Lando Norris once again delivered a standout performance. Despite a challenging situation and the pressure of having a fast teammate, Norris avoided mistakes, executed everything flawlessly, and secured the fastest time — impressively, both of his final laps would have been good enough for pole position. This was despite the difficulty of switching blindly to the soft tyre, showing exceptional sensitivity and confidence. It confirmed once again that the British driver’s adaptability and control make him one of the most talented drivers on the grid.
His achievement is even more remarkable given the setup issues he initially faced, which forced him to make several last-minute changes during the only practice session. Clearly, those adjustments paid off. On the other side of the McLaren garage, Oscar Piastri’s session was not perfect but still an improvement over recent races. He showed no signs of deeper struggles, though a small error in the braking zone at Turn 1 cost him dearly. From Turn 1 to the finish line, Piastri lost just 0.05s to Norris, but the 0.15s lost in the opening braking phase left him too far behind, ultimately costing him a front-row start.
Antonelli superb in a surprisingly strong Mercedes, Verstappen off pace in a struggling Red Bull
The driver who claimed that front-row spot alongside Norris was Kimi Antonelli, after a fantastic lap and a solid overall qualifying session. Antonelli showed great confidence with his car and excellent sensitivity, with improved preparation for his flying laps. He maximized the Mercedes W16’s strongest traits, particularly its traction, while adapting to how differently the car behaved on soft tyres compared to what the engineers had expected. In the general confusion, the Mercedes proved surprisingly fast. Antonelli’s precise longitudinal control was evident at corner entry, where he consistently attacked aggressively — a style he has often described as natural to his driving approach.
Max Verstappen, meanwhile, could do no better than sixth — a disappointing result for the reigning World Champion. Red Bull has often been capable of turning weekends around by making radical setup changes between Friday and Saturday, but the Sprint format, with only one practice session, seems to penalize the Milton Keynes team heavily. The RB21 appeared to suffer from poor ride heights and a front end plagued by understeer, combined with a lack of rear grip when Max Verstappen reapplied the throttle. The car looked metaphorically “heavy” and sluggish in the slow sections, lacking agility. Data confirmed this, as Verstappen lost most of his gap to Norris in the twistiest parts of the circuit. Top speed remained good, which might still help him in battles during the Sprint.
Ferrari inefficient and down on power – little interest in the short race
As for Ferrari, there is little positive to highlight. The session was difficult on multiple fronts. Both SF-25s were slow in all three sectors, despite running a higher-downforce setup. The car appeared aerodynamically inefficient — generating limited downforce while producing significant drag. This was compounded by what seemed like an intentionally conservative engine mode for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. On a power-sensitive circuit like Interlagos, that’s a costly compromise.
It appears that several negative factors combined: setup issues, possibly including ride heights that took the car’s aerodynamics out of their optimal window, and a strategy to preserve power units and avoid grid penalties before the season ends. Ferrari once again gave the impression of treating the Sprint as little more than an extended test session — a chance to experiment ahead of the main race, where the real championship points are awarded.
Weather forecasts predicting rain and cooler conditions may have also influenced Ferrari’s decisions, prompting them to add downforce, raise the ride height, and lower engine power in anticipation of a potentially stormy race. Whether that approach pays off remains to be seen once the lights go out.
An intriguing Sprint ahead – a chance for Kimi, and a fightback for Max under unpredictable skies
All things considered, the Sprint promises to be an exciting one. Lando Norris will aim to convert his pole into victory but will need to be wary of Kimi Antonelli, who has less to lose and plenty to gain. Behind them, Max Verstappen will push for a comeback on a track that allows overtaking, while unpredictable weather could turn everything upside down. Another key chapter in this thrilling season finale is about to unfold at Interlagos.
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