Antonelli promoted to second as team call costs Russell pole in Sao Paulo

Lando Norris claimed pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a chaotic, rain-delayed qualifying session at Interlagos, according to BBC News ^[1]. The McLaren driver beat fellow Briton George Russell by 0.204 seconds in treacherous wet conditions that saw the session suspended for over an hour and a half due to heavy downpours.

However, the grid order was drastically altered by a raft of engine penalties. Russell, who was furious that his team instructed him to abort a potentially faster lap, received a five-place penalty, promoting Mercedes team-mate and new world champion Kimi Antonelli to second, as reported by The Guardian ^[2].

While Norris enjoyed a triumphant day, it was a disaster for Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. The 41-year-old suffered an engine nightmare, with his new internal combustion engine producing vibrations and smoke, forcing a full power unit replacement, according to The Independent ^[3]. Hamilton will start from the back of the grid, alongside Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who opted out of the second session after knowing he faced a similar penalty.

The wet weather provided a rare opportunity for usually uncompetitive cars to shine. Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson secured a remarkable third place on the grid, while Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Williams' Alex Albon also impressed in the mixed conditions. Haas' Oliver Bearman described the conditions as "definitely the wettest" he had ever experienced, the BBC reported ^[1].

Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc qualified fourth but will start 14th after a 10-place penalty. The session saw significant drama beyond the track, with safety car driver Bernd Maylander reporting the track was initially "not driveable" due to thunder and lightning. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar even requested a new race suit after being drenched during the delay, as noted by The Independent ^[3].

For McLaren, the result was a validation of their latest upgrades, with Norris feeling confident in the wet. Conversely, Mercedes faces a tense race as they look to clinch the constructors' championship, needing to outscore Ferrari by just three points. With rain expected for the race, drivers like Verstappen and Hamilton will look to their strong historical records at Interlagos to recover from their starting positions.