Lawson through to Q3 - starts Sprint Race from 8th

Liam Lawson’s first objective of the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend in Brazil was achieved this morning with the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team driver moving through qualifying into Q3 and setting the eighth fastest time for Saturday’s (Sunday in NZ) Sprint Race. His consistency is impressive and must be putting a smile on Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko and Christian Horner.

He has qualified ahead of his experienced teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, who will start from 18th. Lawson also out-qualified Red Bull’s Sergio Perez whose nightmare qualifying run continues. He will start from 13th on the grid.

“I’m very happy. It’s my first time back in SQ3, I know it’s a Sprint, but it’s positive that we made a good step up from this morning,” commented Lawson. “The track was really challenging for everyone earlier, but what we did worked, and I’m pleased with the work that everyone’s done. “

Liam Lawson prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace(Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

“Obviously, it’s going to be tough tomorrow, but we’ll be pushing for points. We struggled on the long runs, but we were also on softs so let’s see, anything is possible, I’m sure it’s going to be a rough race, but we’ll do our best.”

The Sprint Race is set to go a 3am Sunday morning 3 November 2024 NZ time.

Qualifying Results

Pos	No	Driver	Car	Q1	Q2	Q3	Laps
1	81	Piastri	McLaren Mercedes	1:10.265	1:09.239	1:08.899	16
2	4	Norris	McLaren Mercedes	1:09.477	1:09.063	1:08.928	14
3	16	Leclerc	Ferrari	1:10.388	1:09.248	1:09.153	18
4	1	Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:10.409	1:09.489	1:09.219	12
5	55	Sainz	Ferrari	1:10.503	1:09.500	1:09.257	15
6	63	Russell	Mercedes	1:10.479	1:09.683	1:09.443	15
7	10	Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:10.630	1:09.610	1:09.622	15
8	30	Lawson	RB Honda RBPT	1:10.576	1:09.827	1:09.941	11
9	23	Albon	Williams Mercedes	1:10.366	1:09.844	1:10.078	12
10	50	Bearman	Haas Ferrari	1:10.442	1:09.629	DNF	12
11	44	Hamilton	Mercedes	1:10.625	1:09.941		13
12	27	Hulkenberg	Haas Ferrari	1:10.466	1:09.964		8
13	11	Perez	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:10.392	1:10.024		10
14	43	Colapinto	Williams Mercedes	1:10.470	1:10.275		9
15	77	Bottas	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:10.861	1:10.595		12
16	14	Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:10.978			6
17	31	Ocon	Alpine Renault	1:11.052			6
18	22	Tsunoda	RB Honda RBPT	1:11.121			6
19	18	Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:11.280			6
20	24	Zhou	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:12.978			5