Haas’ Kevin Magnussen used George Russell’s red flag to secure his first pole position at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Haas’ Kevin Magnussen used George Russell’s red flag to secure his first pole position at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Kevin Magnussen claimed both his and Haas’ first Formula 1 pole as rainy conditions produced a thrilling turnaround in Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying. Magnussen will start Saturday’s Sprint in Brazil at the front of the grid, with world champion Max Verstappen second for Red Bull. The 30-year-old Dane was top of the grid with eight minutes remaining in Q3 when Mercedes’ George Russell, who will start third, fell into a gravel trap and triggered a red flag. The rain, which had been falling in varying degrees throughout qualifying, then intensified, meaning neither driver could improve once the session resumed, leaving Magnussen and Haas to celebrate a remarkable victory. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Magnussen was left in disbelief when told he had set the fastest time in Qualifying
Magnussen was left in disbelief when told he had set the fastest time in Qualifying Having topped the grid in Q1, Lando Norris maintained an impressive pace to take fourth for McLaren, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who faces a five-place penalty for Sunday’s race after getting a new engine. Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso followed in sixth and seventh, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who will be disappointed not to be able to take advantage of the conditions in which he usually excels at one of his favorite tracks. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player George Russell lost control of his Mercedes and drifted into the gravel, bringing out the red flag during Q3 in Brazil
George Russell lost control of his Mercedes and drifted into the gravel, bringing out the red flag during Q3 in Brazil Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was ninth after his flying lap was disrupted as he was behind Charles Leclerc, who completed the top 10 after Ferrari strangely sent the Monegasque out on intermediate tires at the start of Q3. Interlagos hosts the third and final Sprint of the 2022 season, with Verstappen looking to complete a hat-trick of wins after victories in Imola and Austria. The grid for Sunday’s feature race, in which Verstappen will seek a record-breaking 15th win of the season, will be dictated by the result of the Sprint, which also offers points to the top eight finishers. Sao Paulo GP: Qualifying Result, Top 101) Kevin Magnussen, Haas2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull3) George Russell, Mercedes4) Lando Norris, McLaren5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari6) Esteban Ocon, Alpine7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine8) Lewis ) Sergio Perez, Red Bull10) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Spectacular scenes as Magnussen takes pole

Magnussen’s F1 career appeared to be over when he was let go by Haas at the end of the 2020 season, but he returned as a replacement for Russian Nikita Mazepin at the start of this year. The Dane, who drove for McLaren and Renault before joining Haas in 2017, has impressed throughout 2022, but Friday’s Qualifying triumph brought a fairytale ending to his return to the sport. The result was popular across the paddock, with even drivers who had missed out on a rare shot at pole expressing their delight at their rival’s success. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Magnussen says his Haas car handled the wet conditions perfectly as he battled for pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Magnussen says his Haas car handled the wet conditions perfectly as he battled for pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix “I came in as this cocky little kid thinking I was the king of the world,” Magnussen told Sky Sports F1. “I had a lot of lessons after that, showing how hard it really is in this sport. “Now I’m in pole position, so I’m going to enjoy it.” While there was fortune associated with the timing of the rain, Magnussen’s position at the top of the time sheet was fully earned. Apart from Leclerc and Perez, the other eight drivers had a clear shot at a flying lap on fresh soft tires and it was Magnussen who emerged fastest. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Karun Chandhok was on SkyPad to look back at how Magnussen sealed his maiden Formula 1 pole
Karun Chandhok was on SkyPad to look back at how Magnussen sealed his maiden Formula 1 pole The Haas was the first car on track, but the advantage it gained – as the rain intensified – was marginal at best. Russell’s spin, which narrowly avoided the barrier but then ended up in the gravel, saw the session halt and as the rain got heavier it dawned on Magnussen and the crowd that a special moment was happening. Told over the radio that he was at the top of the time sheet as the rain intensified, Magnussen expressed his excitement but warned his team that it was not over. That caution soon gave way to celebrations, with only Perez and Hamilton bothering to take to the track – on intermediate tires – for the remaining eight minutes of the session. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says Magnussen’s fairytale pole position was not lucky and deserved
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says Magnussen’s fairytale pole position was not lucky and deserved “I still can’t really believe it,” Magnussen added. “What an amazing job the team did to put me in the pitlane as the first car to give me the best part of the track. It was starting to rain so that was the crucial part.” The Brazilian crowd cheered as pictures on big screens around the track showed Magnussen celebrating in his car, before Haas team principal Guenther Steiner emerged from the pitwall to win applause from spectators on the straight. Although no points are awarded for Qualifying, pole represents a valuable moment for one of F1’s smallest teams, which only entered the sport in 2016.

Rain creates early chaos in Qualifiers

The rain began to fall about an hour before Qualifying began, adding intrigue to a session that already looked well prepared, with the top three of Perez, Leclerc and Verstappen separated by eight thousandths of a second in the first practice session earlier. Friday. The heavy rain turned to a steady drizzle as the session approached, ensuring there were no delays, but also that a drying track would present many hazards. All 20 cars went straight into the intermediates at the start of Q1, but Pierre Gasly switched to slicks halfway through and immediately went to the top of the time sheet, prompting the rest of the field to follow suit. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Valtteri Bottas was left to question his tire choice during Q1, while Charles Leclerc showed his frustration with AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda as the Ferrari driver felt he repeatedly got in his way.
Valtteri Bottas was left to question his tire choice during Q1, while Charles Leclerc showed his frustration with AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda as the Ferrari driver felt he repeatedly got in his way. After that the timing was constantly changing as the track improved rapidly, with Verstappen and Hamilton in the bottom five after the checkered flag, but both kept their composure to move up the standings and progress to Q2. The big losers were Alfa Romeo, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu making exits in Q1 despite appearing to have a strong pace in the dry conditions. They were joined by Williams’ Nicholas Latifi, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and, remarkably, Magnussen’s team-mate Mick Schumacher, leaving a Haas at each end of the time sheet. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Lewis Hamilton says…