Oscar Piastri plans to “make sure it stays that way” after taking pole position in qualifying for Saturday’s sprint at the Brazilian Grand Prix 2024.
McLaren’s Piastri will start immediately ahead of team-mate Lando Norris on the grid, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third and reigning world champion Max Verstappen, of Red Bull, in fourth.
“My first lap didn’t feel amazing but I knew that there were a few places to improve,” said Piastri, who has won the Grands Prix in Azerbaijan and Hungary this season.
“The second lap was good and the tyres hung on. It’s going to be a very different kind of sprint to last year, with the resurfacing, so we’ll see what the weather does.
“But I’m starting from the best seat in the house, so I’ll make sure it stays that way.”
#F1SPRINT QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION@McLarenF1 lock out the front row, Verstappen starts from fourth 👀#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/TzDo798o7P
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 1, 2024
Sao Paulo GP sprint results
Piastri finished outside of the sprint points placings in 10th last season, with Verstappen winning after starting in second, ahead of Norris, who began on pole.
The winner of the sprint receives eight points, with each of the seven places behind incrementally receiving a point less.
Verstappen leads the driver standings, although Norris cut his lead to 47 points by winning in Mexico last Sunday.
❌ ELIMINATED IN SQ2 ❌
Hamilton 📸
Hulkenberg
Perez
Colapinto
Bottas #F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/M4C12UUlCl— Formula 1 (@F1) November 1, 2024
Norris: Verstappen position ‘doesn’t matter’
“I don’t care,” Norris replied when he was asked about Verstappen. “I hate these questions so much.
“I don’t care where he qualifies. For me, it’s just about focusing on my own job, and that’s it.
“It’s the same questions every time but it doesn’t matter if he starts first or last. I’ll do the best I can.
“I was surprised at how quick we were today – a pleasant one. I just made too many mistakes on my final lap.”
