McLaren driver Lando Norris took second pole position in the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying race, defeating Max Verstappen in a fascinating lap.
With a lap that seemed difficult to overcome, Verstappen initially led the provisional pole, but Norris, whose team had a difficult start to the day due to a fire in its hospitality unit, took first place in a last attempt.
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton finished third, while his teammate George Russell finished fourth.
Norris, after taking the second pole of his career, said: “Today was the perfect lap.”
“Max seemed a little stronger, but we made some changes. I'm very happy to be on pole, it's going to be difficult but we're here to win!” he added.
Aiming for a record fourth world championship, Verstappen leads the championship with 56 points over Charles Leclerc, who will start Sunday's race from fifth place, and Norris, who is seven points behind third position.
This is the tenth round of the 24-race season and the first of a tripleheader with Austria and Silverstone over the next two weekends.
Verstappen won his first Grand Prix in Barcelona in 2016 and has a hat-trick after victories in 2022 and 2023.
