Norris Secures Pole as Verstappen Faces Setback: Full Brazilian Grand Prix Starting Grid After Penalties
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated races of the 2025 Formula 1 season—the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos. After an action-packed Saturday filled with drama, shocks, and last-minute steward reviews, the FIA has now confirmed the official starting grid for Sunday’s race, with penalties applied.
Lando Norris continued his stunning form by following up his sprint-race victory with pole position for the main event. The McLaren driver put together an exceptional qualifying lap, solidifying his place at the front of the grid and extending his advantage in the championship battle. His main title rival and teammate, Oscar Piastri, could only manage fourth, giving Norris a comfortable buffer as the lights go out in São Paulo.
Norris Extends His Momentum
The British driver’s weekend has been close to perfect so far. After triumphing in Saturday’s sprint race, Norris carried that momentum into qualifying, topping all three sessions with confidence and composure. His pole lap demonstrated not just McLaren’s impressive pace but also his own maturity under pressure.
Heading into Sunday’s race, Norris leads Piastri by nine points in the standings. With Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari separating the McLaren pair on the grid, Norris will have an ideal opportunity to strengthen his grip on the championship lead. The front row features Norris in P1 and Antonelli in P2, while Leclerc starts third after a solid but unspectacular session for Ferrari.
Behind them, Piastri lines up fourth, and Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar continues his remarkable rise by securing fifth place—his best starting position in Formula 1 so far.
Grid Setbacks and Red Bull’s Troubles
While the front runners celebrated, Saturday was a nightmare for Red Bull Racing. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen suffered a shocking Q1 elimination, managing only the 16th fastest time. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, fared even worse, being knocked out in 19th.
The result marked a historic low for the team—the first time since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix that no Red Bull car advanced to Q2. It was also Verstappen’s first early qualifying exit since the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who remains a championship contender, now faces a steep uphill battle from the lower half of the grid in Sunday’s race.
The Red Bull camp admitted to struggling with balance issues throughout the weekend, with Verstappen complaining about poor grip and unstable handling in both the sprint and qualifying sessions. Although minor setup changes were made overnight, the car failed to deliver the performance the team had hoped for.
No Grid Penalty for Hamilton
One of the major storylines heading into Saturday evening was Lewis Hamilton’s yellow-flag incident during qualifying. The Ferrari driver was investigated for allegedly failing to slow down in a double-yellow flag zone, an infringement that could have resulted in a grid-place penalty.
However, after reviewing telemetry and onboard footage, the stewards decided against issuing a grid drop, instead handing Hamilton a formal reprimand. This means the seven-time world champion will start from 13th, as originally qualified.
Final Starting Grid – Brazilian Grand Prix 2025
Below is the confirmed starting order after all penalties were applied:
1. Lando Norris – McLaren
2. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
3. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
4. Oscar Piastri – McLaren
5. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
6. George Russell – Mercedes
7. Liam Lawson – Racing Bull
8. Oliver Bearman – Haas
9. Pierre Gasly – Alpine
10. Nico Hülkenberg – Sauber
11. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
12. Alex Albon – Williams
13. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
14. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
15. Carlos Sainz – Williams
16. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
17. Esteban Ocon – Haas
18. Franco Colapinto – Alpine
19. Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull
20. Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber
A Crucial Race for the Championship Battle
The Brazilian Grand Prix has often produced unpredictable results, and with Norris starting from pole and Verstappen far down the order, the 2025 edition looks set to deliver more drama. The long run into Turn 1 and the heavy braking zones at Interlagos will make the opening lap critical.
For McLaren, the objective is clear—protect Norris at the front and keep both cars in the top four to maximize championship points. Piastri’s position directly behind Leclerc could also play a strategic role, allowing McLaren to cover any undercut attempts from Ferrari or Mercedes.
Red Bull, meanwhile, face a strategic conundrum. Starting from 16th and 19th, Verstappen and Tsunoda will likely adopt alternate tyre strategies, possibly beginning on hard compounds to extend their first stint. With overtaking opportunities available through the Senna S and back straight DRS zones, both drivers will aim for a recovery drive to salvage points.
Ferrari’s weekend has been mixed so far—Leclerc’s third-place start offers hope for a podium, but Hamilton’s lower-midfield position will make his race considerably tougher. Mercedes appear well-placed to challenge McLaren, with Antonelli and Russell both inside the top six and showing competitive long-run pace during practice.
When and How to Watch
The 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, November 9, with lights out at 2 p.m. local time (BRT). That translates to 5 p.m. GMT, 6 p.m. CET, and 12 p.m. ET for fans in the United States.
Broadcast coverage varies by region:
United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1
United States: ESPN / ESPN Deportes
Italy: Sky Italia
Germany: Sky Deutschland, RTL
France: Canal+
Brazil: Bandeirantes & Bandsports
Australia: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports
Africa: SuperSport
In addition, F1 TV Pro will stream all sessions live in territories where the service is available, while Dutch fans can enjoy free coverage of the entire weekend on Viaplay.
A Grand Prix Poised for Drama
With the title fight intensifying, the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix promises high tension and excitement from start to finish. Norris will be aiming to convert pole into victory to strengthen his championship bid, while Verstappen faces a monumental task to fight through the field. The combination of unpredictable weather, a passionate crowd, and Interlagos’ unique layout guarantees another thrilling chapter in the F1 season.
