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Lando Norris anticipates a tough competition in the Brazilian Grand Prix after securing pole position ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc. Following his impressive sprint victory, Norris delivered another outstanding performance in qualifying, boosting his chances for a first world title with four races left. His win on Saturday extended his lead to nine points over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
Norris acknowledges that despite his strong showing, the race will be challenging. "I learned that they're pretty quick and that Kimi pushes all the way until the very end," he remarked. He is aware of the potential threat from Antonelli and Leclerc, hoping they won't disrupt his clean weekend so far. The unpredictable weather could also play
a significant role in Sunday's race.
Oscar Piastri, who starts from the second row in fourth, faces an uphill battle. Max Verstappen's unexpected early exit places him 16th on the grid. However, Verstappen's past performance at this track shows he can recover from such setbacks. Last year, he climbed from 17th to win in Sao Paulo, securing his fourth consecutive world title.
During qualifying, Norris faced difficulties but managed to recover. An error on his first lap initially placed him 10th. However, he rebounded to finish 0.174 seconds ahead of Antonelli. "Tough out there with the conditions," Norris commented on the slippery and inconsistent track at Interlagos. Despite the pressure, he remained calm and delivered when it mattered most.
Norris expressed gratitude towards his team for providing a competitive car. "The team have given me a great car," he said, acknowledging their support despite his own mistakes during qualifying. Locking up at Turn One added unnecessary pressure, but Norris believes staying calm and maintaining rhythm will keep him competitive.
Piastri's Struggles and Optimism
Piastri experienced a setback earlier with a crash during the sprint race just six laps in. Despite recent struggles, he remains optimistic about McLaren's car performance over longer runs. "The car has looked quick this weekend," Piastri noted, aiming to capitalize on any opportunities during Sunday's race to advance and apply pressure.
There's something about Interlagos#McLaren | #BrazilGPpic.twitter.com/lhg8yP4TGf
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 8, 2025
George Russell also made it into the top ten alongside Antonelli for Mercedes. Norris admits that despite being seen as the driver to beat in Brazil so far, he expects fierce competition from these rivals throughout Sunday's race.
With four races remaining in the season, every point counts for Norris as he aims for his first world title. The Brazilian Grand Prix promises intense battles as drivers navigate both their competitors and changing weather conditions at Interlagos Circuit.
