Norris Takes Pole for Madrid Grand Prix

Lando Norris claimed pole for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new 5.414-kilometre Madring circuit, edging championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.011 seconds in a dramatic final qualifying lap. Max Verstappen qualified third, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and George Russell, while Oscar Piastri will start seventh. The narrow, high-speed hybrid street circuit has produced several crashes and is expected to make overtaking difficult, with safety-car or red-flag interruptions possible. Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points and will start from the front row with an opportunity to extend his advantage. Haas driver Oliver Bearman will start at the back after a practice crash left his car unrepaired for qualifying, while Lance Stroll failed to set a time because of a water-pressure problem.