Sao Paulo GP Qualifying: Verstappen Claims Pole, Ferrari Leads the Pack
Max Verstappen takes pole in Sao Paulo, while Ferrari’s Leclerc and Stroll secure front‑row positions.
In a wet‑and‑dry sprint to the top of the grid, Dutchman Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing secured pole position for the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, clocking a lap time of 1:20.456 in the final qualifying session. The Dutchman’s performance was a testament to Red Bull’s continued dominance on the challenging Interlagos circuit, where the track’s unpredictable weather has historically produced surprising results.
Behind Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz (who replaced the injured Sainz with a provisional driver) lined up on the front row, with Leclerc posting a time of 1:20.789 and Sainz a close 1:20.912. Their strong showing reflects Ferrari’s steady improvement in tyre management and setup, a key factor in the highly competitive 2026 season. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who had been battling for the top two spots in earlier sessions, finished third and fourth with times of 1:21.045 and 1:21.178 respectively.
The FP3 session, which took place earlier in the weekend, saw the Red Bull duo of Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez both posting lap times under 1:22, with Perez’s best time at 1:22.310. Ferrari’s Leclerc and Sainz were the fastest in the session, recording 1:22.456 and 1:22.589. The data from FP3 indicated a clear advantage for the Red Bull and Ferrari teams in terms of tyre performance and aerodynamic efficiency, setting the stage for a tight battle at the start of the race.
For Indian fans, the Sao Paulo GP will be broadcast live on FanCode from 10:30 PM IST, with commentary in Hindi and English. The race is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM IST, giving viewers ample time to catch the action. Fans can also follow live updates on the Pitlane Press India app, where we’ll provide real‑time commentary and analysis throughout the event.
Source: Formula 1, Yahoo Sports, Motorsport Week