Norris snatches Spanish GP pole by 0.011 seconds despite missing FP2 with gearbox failure

Lando Norris secured pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday, outpacing Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli by a razor-thin 0.011 seconds at the Madring circuit. Max Verstappen qualified third for Red Bull.

The result caught much of the paddock off guard. Norris had missed the majority of the second free practice session due to a gearbox issue, leaving him with limited running on a brand-new circuit ahead of qualifying.

Fans were quick to celebrate the lap on social media. “Stunning lap by Lando,” one Reddit user wrote, while another added: “Especially given he missed the entire FP2 and on a brand-new track. A true champion’s lap.”

“Honestly, where did he pull that from? Absolutely sensational,” wrote a third, with another noting: “It’s really great seeing him getting his flowers this season. Mercedes are rapid but you can’t count the champ out.”

Several reactions pointed to a broader shift in Norris’s mentality since claiming the world championship. “Something about winning the world championship seems to have unlocked something new in Lando, whether it’s pride, relief, or just finally shaking off the imposter syndrome he seemed to suffer from,” one fan posted. “I like this more confident DGAF Lando and it’s reflected in his lap times.”

The same fan drew a contrast with Norris’s 2025 campaign: “I’m sure this level could have helped him last season too, but he was definitely running some cognitive baggage in 2025. The work he did with the sport psychologist certainly paid some dividends, but he’s also found this inside himself lately. It’s not that Piastri is lagging, it’s that Lando has found his beast mode.”

Other reactions were equally effusive. “Lando cooked, what an absolutely unreal lap. Bro came from the DEPTHS,” read one comment, while another observed: “Genuinely having the best year of his career AFTER winning the WDC.”

The Spanish Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 13 September at 3pm local time.