McLaren Star Seizes Front-Row Start as Verstappen Struggles with Red Bull’s Performance on Bumpy Interlagos Circuit
Lando Norris took a significant step toward challenging Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship, delivering a strong performance in Sprint qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Norris clocked an impressive 1:08.928 in SQ3, narrowly missing pole by just 0.029 seconds to teammate Oscar Piastri. With only four races left in the season, every point counts for Norris as he trails Verstappen by 47 points in the championship standings.
The 24-year-old McLaren driver has started from pole six times this season but has only converted one of those starts into a victory. His struggles to capitalize on pole positions have been a stumbling block in the title chase, making Saturday’s Sprint race essential for Norris to earn maximum points. Reflecting on his improvement, Norris noted, “A big improvement from early in the day. We were struggling a lot, but it was a good surprise to see the car that competitive.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen faced difficulties with Red Bull’s RB20, struggling to adapt to the bumpy Interlagos surface that has posed a problem for Red Bull throughout the season. Verstappen admitted that the uneven track compromised his lap time, saying, “The bumpy areas, it isn’t good for our car – it is costing me lap time. When you’re already off over one lap, I don’t think you’ll be the strongest in the race.”
With Verstappen lining up in P4 and facing handling issues, Norris has a real opportunity to cut into Verstappen’s championship lead. The McLaren star has expressed confidence in the MCL38’s setup, giving him a competitive edge heading into the Sprint.
For Norris, Brazil’s Sprint race offers a crucial chance to bring himself within striking distance of Verstappen in the title race. As Verstappen faces another uphill battle with Red Bull’s ongoing struggles on bumpy tracks, the championship showdown intensifies, with both drivers keen to secure every possible point.
