F1 Spanish GP 2024 Qualifying: Norris pips Verstappen to clinch pole
Lando Norris snatched pole position from Max Verstappen during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris grabbed his second career pole with a late run that just edged the three-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton will start third, just ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are next.
It was a hectic morning for Norris after his McLaren team had to evacuate its hospitality suite because of a fire shortly before practice started.
Norris earned his first career victory in May when he won in Miami. He started that race from fifth.
“It was pretty much a perfect lap, so I am super, super happy,” Norris said. “We have been close the past two months, ever since Miami. We probably missed out on pole because we didn’t do that perfect lap. We made some changes on the final lap and found the room to improve.”
Pole sitters have won 24 of the 33 F1 races held at the 4.6-kilometer (2.8-mile) track located just north of Barcelona.
Verstappen holds a 56-point lead over Leclerc in the drivers’ standings.