Norris takes pole in soaked São Paulo qualifying

Lando Norris took pole position for the São Paulo Grand Prix on Saturday, in qualifying that was stopped because the rain made the track too dangerous to run on. Norris, who drives for McLaren, said BBC Sport the conditions were some of the wettest he had ever driven in.

The session was held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, and it was not a smooth ride. Organisers halted qualifying for nearly an hour and a half while the water on the circuit was too deep for safe running. When cars returned, the grid began to take shape around the drivers who best judged the changing track.

Norris's pole was his third in a row at this circuit, a run that has now made Brazil one of his strongest venues. Mercedes' George Russell lined up second, behind the McLaren driver. Russell said he loves driving in the rain, and he was quick to show it.

Fernando Alonso qualified eighth and Alex Albon ninth. Both made the top 10 for the first time in 2026. Oliver Bearman was sixth.

The grid has been reshuffled by engine rules. Charles Leclerc qualified fourth but starts 10 places back, because his team changed engine parts beyond the number allowed for the season. Lewis Hamilton will start 20th and Max Verstappen 21st for the same reason, after each replaced an engine and went over their allowance. Each of these drivers has a fresh set of engine parts to get through the rest of the year, and each of them must now pass a large field to score.

For the drivers at the front, the start matters more than usual. A wet track rewards cars that can get off the line cleanly and keep the tyres working in changing grip. Pole gives Norris first choice of line into the opening corners, and it keeps him out of the spray that a chasing car must drive through.

The forecast for Sunday's race is for light rain, which would keep the track damp without the full washout seen in qualifying. Norris said he hopes for a wet race. Light rain can still change strategy, because drivers have to decide when to pit for tyres suited to a drying or wetting track. Teams will be watching the sky as closely as the timing screens.

The last two São Paulo races, in 2016 and 2024, both saw red flags in treacherous conditions. Norris is starting from the front with that history in mind, and everyone on the grid knows the rain could still have the final say.