By Gabriel Araujo and Bernardo Barbosa

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Lando Norris was perfectly placed to extend his Formula One championship lead after taking pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint race on Friday with McLaren teammate and closest title rival Oscar Piastri qualifying third.

Mercedes’ Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli joined the Briton – who won last year’s sprint while battling Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – on the front row for Saturday’s 100km race at Interlagos.

Norris is a point clear of Piastri in the overall standings with four grands prix and two sprints, including Saturday, to come and his first sprint pole of the campaign continued his growing momentum.

The sprint race offers eight points to the winner, with the top eight scoring.

RAIN EXPECTED FOR SATURDAY’S RACE

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