Lando Norris pounced late in the final qualifying session to grab pole for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and add to his sprint win at Interlagos earlier Saturday.

The 25-year-old Briton, who reclaimed the leadership of the drivers’ world championship by winning in Mexico two weeks ago, reacted to late pressure after a messy opening Q3 lap with a stunning last run in the final seconds.

He clocked one minute and 9.511 seconds to outpace nearest rival Italian teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by 0.174 seconds after Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen was eliminated in the first qualifying session and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in Q2.

Oscar Piastri, who is battling his McLaren team-mate Norris for the title, was fourth, and will start next to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the second row.

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‘SILLY’: Piastri title fears deepen after blunder as surprise Norris reason emerges

“I just couldn’t go any faster, I think that was the biggest thing,” Piastri said. “Very different conditions to what we had yesterday, I would say, and just about everything felt much trickier today.

“So, obviously, I’m a bit disappointed with the result but the car has looked quick this weekend, especially over a longer run, so hopefully I can take advantage of that tomorrow.”

Piastri crashes out of Brazil sprint | 00:45

On whether he can put pressure on Norris on Sunday, he added: “Ultimately I will try and take whatever opportunities arise and if I can make progress forwards and put some pressure on, I will. But got to get there first.”

In one piece of positive news for Piastri on the day,neither of the Red Bulls were fast enough to make the final session. Defending champion Max Verstappen will start in 16th.

It’s the first time in his career that he’s suffered a Q1 exit on pace alone.

Asked about if he can still win the championship, Verstappen said: “I can forget about that. Yes, for sure.”

Norris started the last session badly but found the lap he needed as time ran out to again edge teenage Italian rookie Antonelli.

“It was tough out there with the conditions,” said Norris. “Just slippery and inconsistent, but good fun. It’s always a pleasure around this track. I felt good!

“I was under a bit of pressure because I messed up on my first lap so it was more stressful than I would’ve liked, but I stayed calm when it mattered and put it altogether.

“So, I’m happy. We’ve been on very good form. The team have given me a great car, so I’ve always got to thank them.

“I didn’t make it easy for them or for myself. Locking up at Turn One, it just put unnecessary pressure on myself and the others are doing a good job, but I think that when I am in a good rhythm, stay calm and put it all together, I’ll be on top.”

Bortoleto out after sprint crash | 01:23

Earlier Norris had extended his lead in the drivers’ world championship to nine points, after Piastri crashed out of the sprint.

Norris edged Antonelli by eight-tenths of a second and earned eight points to lift him to 365 points in the title race ahead of Piastri on 356. Four-time champion Verstappen, who finished fourth, is on 326.

Norris was 0.845 seconds ahead of a feisty Antonelli at the chequered flag with George Russell third in the second Mercedes ahead of Verstappen, Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.