Alonso puts Aston Martin into Q3 as Norris takes pole in the downpour

Fernando Alonso delivered the standout performance of the rain-hit qualifying session, taking Aston Martin into Q3 and securing eighth place on the grid. Lando Norris, meanwhile, surprised Mercedes by claiming pole in 1:27.470. Antonelli will line up alongside him on Sunday at 18:00, on DAZN.

The rain changed the balance of the session. In those conditions, predictions become less reliable and driving counts for more against the performance of the cars. Although wet-weather running has become rarer in Formula 1, the session showed how dramatically rain can alter the picture. Images from the session showed Norris in the rain.

For Alonso, eighth place marked his best Saturday of the season. Aston Martin struggled at the beginning and end of the circuit, but the Spaniard made the most of the opportunity to hold his own in difficult driving conditions.

Oliver Bearman, a Haas driver, described the session as «the worst conditions I’ve driven these cars in». He added: «Or any car… and I’m British.» The British driver involved in Mercedes’ mistake said: «I should have completed that lap; we executed it badly.» Mercedes had asked Russell not to push when he had a window to do so.

Norris set his pole time before the downpour hit Q3. The Briton thus underlined McLaren’s resurgence in speed and judgement. Liam Lawson finished third, while Antonelli secured a starting position that keeps him near the front.

After 19 of the 23 rounds of the 2026 championship, Norris is sixth with 221 points and two wins, 159 points behind leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has 380. Alonso is 17th with 7 points and no wins, 373 points behind the leader. Four rounds remain. Mercedes leads the constructors’ championship with 630 points, ahead of Ferrari on 504; McLaren is fourth with 365, 265 behind Mercedes.