SAO PAULO– Kevin Magnussen stunned Formula One in Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying by earning lead for the sprint race at Interlagos on Friday.
It was the first pole after 142 races for the Danish chauffeur, that celebrated by making faces at the electronic cameras before the third qualifying session was over. After that he jumped on his car and punched the air in the drizzle. He provided his Haas group employer Guenther Steiner a psychological hug.
“The team put me out on the right track exactly at the ideal minute,” an exultant Magnussen stated.
Asked whether he anticipated to make post, he replied: “Not even shut. It is extraordinary.”
Magnussen started in F1 in 2014 and also returned to the series this year after an one-year absence as the substitute for Russian motorist Nikita Mazepin.
On group radio, Magnussen was even more fired up: “I never ever seemed like this in my life,” he stated. Minutes in the past, when he was informed he remained in first setting, he responded: “You’re joking.”
On the other hand, Haas teammate Mick Schumacher, who is still looking for a seat for the following season, finished not surprisingly in 20th and last place.
Steiner stated on Thursday he has yet to decide whether Schumacher will certainly race for the group next year, including he really hopes a choice will be made following week. Schumacher has actually made only 12 factors this season. Magnussen has a modest 24.
Magnussen was virtually five seconds faster than Schumacher. World champion Max Verstappen was 2nd by practically two-tenths of a second. Mercedes’ George Russell was third.
Certifying was delayed by rainfall, which helped Magnussen. The last 5 minutes of the session were badly influenced by the wet track.
Haas mentioned Magnussen’s pole position with a touch of disbelief: “What did we simply do?” the group postured on Twitter. “That was a Viking performance!”
Friday’s results set the grid for Saturday’s sprint race, which will identify the beginning placements for Sunday’s race at Interlagos.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who will begin the sprint in fifth setting, will have a five-place grid fine for Sunday’s race. The Spaniard has actually added a brand-new internal burning engine for the weekend break, a penalty-inducing sixth of the season.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who is still fighting to secure the runner-up setting in the motorists’ champion, was first during free practice earlier on Friday. He had a layout on his safety helmet in cooperation with Disney.
“It is for the Black Panther motion picture, a flick that stands for a lot of my nation,” the Mexican vehicle driver said. “The safety helmet itself is distinct as well as I actually like it.”
Perez will start the sprint, which is expected to go under rain once again, in 9th placement.
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