Qualifying conditions borderline – but Norris and Russell hoping for more rain

Lando Norris claimed his third consecutive Brazilian Grand Prix pole in rain-hit qualifying at Interlagos, after officials delayed the session for nearly 90 minutes because conditions were considered too dangerous. The result matters because rain and grid penalties have reshuffled the starting order, giving several drivers an unusual chance to challenge near the front.

Norris called the conditions among the wettest he had driven in and said McLaren would have lacked the pace for pole in the dry. George Russell qualified second but will start seventh after a five-place penalty; he described near-zero visibility and aquaplaning at more than 200km/h. Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenberg start on the second row, while engine penalties send Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to 20th and 21st; light rain is forecast for Sunday.