Brazil qualifying reactions: Lawson rues Q3 error

Lawson, Alonso, Verstappen and Piastri reflected on wet Brazil qualifying, with reported grid penalties and back-row starts shaping Sunday’s start.

Formula1.com’s post-qualifying roundup said drivers and teams reflected on final practice and a wet session at Interlagos ahead of the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. It also reported Liam Lawson felt he did not maximise his Q3 lap, while Motorsport.com said the New Zealander believed a front-row start was possible before a mistake left him third on the grid. Lawson arrived in Brazil ninth in the drivers’ championship on 83 points.

Formula1.com also reported Fernando Alonso was pleased to reach Q3 for the first time this season after qualifying ninth. Alonso started the weekend 17th in the standings on seven points. Max Verstappen, second in the championship on 261 points, faces a back-row start after taking new power unit parts, according to Motorsport.com, which also reported that Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton expected overtaking to be harder than in previous seasons.

Motorsport.com further reported Oscar Piastri qualified 12th in the rain-delayed session and was in line to move up to 10th if penalties for Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were applied. Piastri began the weekend seventh in the standings on 144 points, while Leclerc was fifth on 245.