Norris grabs the first Madring pole by eleven thousandths

After losing all of FP2 on Friday because of a gearbox change, Lando Norris claimed the first pole position in Madring history with a 1m31.824s lap. The reigning champion beat Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011s on his final attempt, while Max Verstappen will start third, 0.140s back. It is Norris’s 19th career pole and his third of the season.

Track position matters on this new circuit, where narrow sections and walls reduce overtaking opportunities. Norris therefore has the advantage at the start, but 57 laps await and tyre management will remain central. Antonelli can also fight for the win while keeping the championship in mind: he leads George Russell, only sixth on the grid, by 66 points.