SAO PAULO: Australia's Oscar Piastri captured pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race today, just ahead of McLaren teammate and title hopeful Lando Norris.
World champion Max Verstappen will start today's race from fourth spot in his Red Bull with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc starting in third place.
Carlos Sainz, in the second Ferrari and the winner of the Mexico City Grand Prix last weekend, is on the third row alongside George Russell of Mercedes.
"It was a tricky session. I felt pretty comfortable at the start and then grip was really coming up a lot during the session," said Piastri.
"With the track this year, it's hard enough to see where you're going, let along trying to do a fast lap. It's challenging out there, but happy to qualify on pole for the sprint."
Sergio Perez, in the second Red Bull, was 13th fastest in qualifying with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in 11th.
In the championship race, three-time reigning champion Verstappen is 47 points ahead of Norris with four race weekends left. - AFP