Lando Norris began his Brazilian Grand Prix weekend in perfect fashion by claiming pole position for the sprint race at Interlagos. The McLaren driver delivered a superb lap of 1:09.243 in the final qualifying session, edging out Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli by just 0.097 seconds.

Norris’s teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri will start third, setting up another exciting McLaren showdown. George Russell, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen rounded out the top six.

Despite not feeling fully comfortable with his car, Norris described the result as a “great start” to the weekend. The pole is particularly important as he holds only a one-point lead over Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship, with just a few rounds left in the season.

With up to eight championship points on offer in the sprint race, Norris now has a golden opportunity to strengthen his title hopes and carry strong momentum into Sunday’s main Grand Prix.

Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, claiming victory and taking the lead in the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Starting from pole position, he stayed in control throughout the race and finished 30.3 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium.

This win marks Norris’s sixth victory of the season and his tenth career Grand Prix win. It is also McLaren’s first triumph in Mexico since 1989. His teammate Oscar Piastri, who led the championship for 189 days, finished fifth after being affected by a late virtual safety car period.

With four races left in the season, Norris leads the standings with 357 points, just one point ahead of Piastri’s 356. The upcoming races promise an intense battle as both McLaren drivers compete for the championship.

Fans praised Norris for his skill, consistency, and composure under pressure. His strong start from pole and flawless race management were key to his success.