Magnussen takes sensational first F1 pole in Brazil
Amid ever-changing conditions at Interlagos, Magnussen posted a brilliant lap to move onto provisional pole just before George Russell beached his Mercedes car into the Turn 4 gravel, causing a red flag that suspended the session.
A downpour of heavy rain during the recovery of Russell’s car meant that when the session resumed, conditions were too wet for times to improve, sealing a surprise first pole for Magnussen.
Magnussen's intitial lap was 0.203s faster than world champion Max Verstappen, meaning the Dane will start Saturday's 24-lap sprint race, which will determine the grid for Sunday's main grand prix, from the very front of the field.
“You are fucking kidding me!" Magnussen replied when informed of his position. "I have never felt like this in my life. Don’t celebrate yet, don’t celebrate yet.”
Russell took third despite his off, ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris in fourth and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in fifth.
Esteban Ocon was a tenth faster than Alpine teammate Fernando Alonso as he clinched sixth, while Lewis Hamilton was only eighth after a scrappy first run in Q3.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez was ninth, ahead of Charles Leclerc, who was left frustrated by Ferrari's decision to send him out as the only driver on intermediate tyres at the start of Q3.
By the time Leclerc emerged from the pits having switched onto slicks, the red flag was out, ruining his qualifying and leaving him a disappointing 10th.
Williams’ Alex Albon missed out on Q3 by just 0.044s in 11th, ahead of AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly.
Sebastian Vettel was 13th ahead of outgoing McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo and teammate Lance Stroll, with both Aston Martin cars knocked out as light rain returned at the end of Q2.
Nicholas Latifi was 16th for Williams ahead of the Alfa Romeo pair of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, who could only take 17th and 18th respectively.
AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was 19th ahead of Mick Schumacher, who was slowest of all in a disappointing qualifying as the uncertainty surrounding his Haas future continues.
A final hour of practice takes place at 3.30pm UK time on Saturday, before the sprint race at 7.30pm.
