Reigning 2025 world champion Lando Norris secured a spectacular pole position for McLaren at the Madring circuit during the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix.
The British driver delivered a blistering late qualifying effort to edge championship leader Kimi Antonelli for the front spot.
Norris missed almost all of Friday practice with a gearbox issue before launching his late pole position charge.
McLaren data showed their driver dropped “three tenths” at the final corner before recovering across the line.
Piastri Struggles On Tight Layout
While Norris triumphed, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri suffered a significantly more difficult afternoon and qualified seventh overall.
The Australian driver failed to break into the top six during any qualifying segment outside of final practice.
Speaking to motorsport.com, Piastri labelled his final Q3 attempt as “pretty shocking” and admitted he lacked consistent rhythm.
“That was really just one of those sessions where you should hit the reset button and have another go,” Piastri added.
McLaren Defends Title Comeback Chances
Antonelli currently holds a commanding 96-point advantage in the drivers’ standings with ten races remaining on the calendar.
McLaren chief Zak Brown remains confident in their ongoing championship title fight, speaking to formula1.com after the session.
“I can only speak for McLaren, until it’s not possible, it’s possible,” Brown confirmed.
The grid now prepares for a highly tactical 57-lap race on Sunday where overtaking opportunities remain severely limited.
