Brazilian Grand Prix – Sprint Shoutout: Norris got his revenge

SQ1:

In order to avoid any traffic during their first stint, Red Bull decided to send out their two drivers directly. Verstappen’s first lap time was a 1’11’888, a time 4 tenths faster than that of his teammate. Starting first is not a guarantee to finish first. Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton managed to pose a threat right from their first laps by going a few hundredths faster than the Dutchman.

This second qualifying session is an opportunity for Oscar Piastri who had a complicated Friday afternoon. While his teammate was set to challenge Max Verstappen for pole position, the young Australian could not do better than 9th after missing his only attempt in Q3. Having messed up his first attempt, Piastri had to complete a second lap directly. His 1’12’356 placed him only in 14th position at the end of this session. A time closer to trouble and elimination than his teammate Lando Norris, who managed to set the 2nd fastest time with a 1’11’824.

Clearly, the combination of the Senna S and Curva do Sol is unfriendly to Esteban Ocon. Already a victim of a notorious collision with Verstappen in 2018, this time it was with Fernando Alonso that the Frenchman collided. Caught in a skid from his rear-end, the Alpine slid out of turn number 2. Out of control, it ended up hitting the left front wheel of the Aston Martin. Ocon rebounded off the tire and crashed into the barriers.

3rd in Friday’s qualifying, the Sprint Shoutout had a very different outcome for Lance Stroll. The Canadian failed to improve on his 17th place time. The hotter temperatures revealed the true pace of this Aston Martin, a team that hasn’t been able to make progress with its car since mid-season. With its relatively low top speed, staying in the points will prove to be a real challenge for Lance Stroll.

The SQ1 eliminations: Esteban Ocon (16th), Lance Stroll (17th), Guanyu Zhou (18th), Alexander Albon (19th), and Logan Sargeant (20th).

SQ2:

The disappointment was twofold for Aston Martin. Neither of the two green cars was able to set a time in SQ2. The incident that Fernando Alonso had with Esteban Ocon seriously damaged his front left suspension. The mechanics of the Spaniard were unable to repair his vehicle in time to defend his chances.

Oscar Piastri’s first attempt in SQ2 was more than promising. The Australian managed to go faster than his garage neighbor. The second round of McLaren drivers was more faithful to the dynamic in place at the Woking team. The former member of the Alpine academy was relegated to over 4 tenths of a second behind his team leader’s time. Lando Norris confirmed his high level of competitiveness by setting the best lap. His 1’11’221 was only 9 milliseconds faster than Perez. Both men are determined to achieve great things this Saturday after the storm in Q3 deprived them of showing what they were truly capable of.

Despite a disappointing Friday for AlphaTauri, both cars were eliminated in Q1. However, Franz Tost’s drivers managed to raise the bar during Q2. Daniel Ricciardo set the fourth fastest time, while Yuki Tsunoda was the last qualifier, with only a 51-millisecond advantage over Kevin Magnussen’s Haas.

The eliminated drivers from the SQ2: Kevin Magnussen (11th), Nico Hülkenberg (12th), Pierre Gasly (13th), Valtteri Bottas (14th), and Fernando Alonso (15th)

SQ3:

The drivers only had one chance to set a time in SQ3. It was therefore vital not to make any mistakes during their lap. These conditions benefited Lando Norris, who managed to put everything together to set the fastest lap. By just 61 milliseconds, the British driver will be able to see the grid in his rearview mirror on the Sprint race grid.

Despite setting his lap time on worn tires, Sergio Perez was far from ridiculous. He finished just a few hundredths behind his teammate, who set his time on brand new soft tires. This resurgence in form during the final Grand Prix of the season could prove crucial for the Mexican, who needs to show that he deserves the Red Bull seat.

While Norris has been the fastest man, Piastri finished at the opposite end of the SQ3 spectrum. He finished over 5 tenths behind his teammate.

Yuki Tsunoda can take a lot of pride in his performance. The Japanese driver finished 6th. His 1’11’019 is enough to place him ahead of both Ferraris but, more importantly, above Daniel Ricciardo.