Brazil GP Qualifying Result

The news from the Sprint was that Bearman will receive a 5 second penalty for his incident during the not-race but this will be kept for the next Sprint.  So not really news.

The track temperature had increased since the morning and it was a reset for the teams and drivers.  Bortoleto didn't make it out though after his huge crash at the very end of the Sprint.   Red Bull could not find any grip in their cars, Verstappen slid and we didn't see Tsunoda at all.  Verstappen Senior left the garage in a huff before his son had even made it back.  Verstappen was out in 16th followed by Ocon, Colapinto, Tsunoda and Bortoleto.

In the second session, everyone was sliding about and/or complaining.  Lots of drivers were struggling, Bearman was not.  Williams didn't seem to be putting any effort in at all.  The shock exit of the session was one of the Ferraris.  Out went Alonso, Albon, Hamilton, Stroll and Sainz.  Fastest were Norris, Bearman and Antonelli; all three were having a great weekend.

There was strong competition as the drivers put in their first quick laps in the final session.  Pole was Norris's to lose at this point but he locked up on his first attempt.  Antonelli made a similar mistake, having done so well so far.   After round one, Piastri was fastest followed by LeClerc, Bearman and Antonelli.

Off they went for their final laps: Bearman was first out and couldn't beat his own time.  LeClerc and Norris flew and laid down the markers for the front row times.  Piastri also couldn't do better than his first time.  The Racing Bulls were going well.  Antonelli continued his amazing run in Brazil (the next Mercedes driver to be made an honorary Brazilian?) and took second place, where LeClerc was already parked in parc ferme.  The top ten were: Norris, Antonelli, LeClerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Russell, Lawson, Bearman, Gasly and Hulkenberg,  Norris is really reigning supreme in Sao Paulo.  LeClerc is still showing that he is better settled in Ferrari than Hamilton, even as we approach the end of the season.  It was a shame for Bearman that his last laps fell behind others.  It was a good showing for Alpine with Gasly and Hulkenberg gave Sauber something to be happy about.

It all seems pleasantly shaken up for the race although there are no murmurings about interesting weather.