Sao Paulo GP qualifying: Kevin Magnussen wins first F1 pole after George Russell turns in the rain
Kevin Magnussen wins a remarkable first F1 championship after a thrilling wet Qualifier session at Sao Paulo GP; world champion Max Verstappen came in second, with George Russell in third despite the spin; watch the Sao Paulo GP Sprint on Saturday at 7:30pm on Saturday, with cumulative time from 6:30pm
Last Updated: 11/22/22 8:31pm
Kevin Magnussen won both himself and Haas’ first Formula One championship as wet conditions created a thrilling upset during Qualifying at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Magnussen will start Saturday’s Sprint in Brazil in the lead, with world champion Max Verstappen coming in second for Red Bull.
The 30-year-old Dane topped the timesheet with eight minutes left of the third quarter when Mercedes’ George Russell, who will start in third, pounced into a gravel trap and triggered a red flag.
The rain fell with varying intensities throughout the qualifiers, then grew stronger, meaning no driver could improve as the race continued, prompting Magnussen and Haas to celebrate a significant victory.
Topping the timesheet in Q1, Lando Norris maintained an impressive pace to secure fourth place for McLaren, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso followed in sixth and seventh, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who will be disappointed for not taking advantage of the conditions he normally excels at, in one of the his favorite race track.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez is ninth after his lap was damaged by falling behind Charles Leclerc, who broke into the top 10 after Ferrari strangely took the Monegasque out on an intermediate tire early in Q3.
More to follow…
Sao Paulo GP: Qualifying Results, Top 10
1) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3) George Russell, Mercedes
4) Lando Norris, McLaren
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
7) Fernando Alonso, High Mountain
8) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
9) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
10) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari