Formula 1 qualifying: Magnussen drives to pole, Schumacher only last

Created: 2022-11-12Updated: 2022-11-12, 8:28 p.m

By: Lena Hempler

While Kevin Magnussen shone with the very first pole position of his career, Mick Schumacher suffered a disappointment in qualifying in Brazil.

São Paulo – The third and last sprint race of the 2022 Formula 1 season will take place in Brazil this weekend. The actual qualifying took place on Friday and decided on the line-up for the sprint race on Saturday.

In the sprint race, 100 kilometers are then driven on the Grand Prix track.

The driver who wins the sprint race takes pole position for Sunday's race.

In São Paulo, the decision for pole on Sunday has not yet been made.

But Kevin Magnussen surprised everyone on Friday when he snatched pole position for the sprint.

Haas probably couldn't believe it himself when they announced to Magnussen on the radio that he would start from pole position on Saturday (November 12).

After a mixed qualifying, the Dane managed to place ahead of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and George Russell (Mercedes).

The track was still dry up until Russell's accident in Q3, during which time Magnussen set his best time in the Haas.

Then the rain came and the other drivers had no chance to improve their times.

The Dane couldn't believe his luck: "You're joking," he told his race engineer over the radio.

Kevin Magnussen is happy about the pole position with the Haas team!

© IMAGO/Andy Hone

Formula 1, Grand Prix in Brazil: What was wrong with Mick Schumacher?

Haas teammate Mick Schumacher, on the other hand, would certainly like to forget qualifying.

He was unlucky again: When preparing for his fast lap, Schumacher had to drive into the wet and was unable to get his tires to the right temperature.

The German set the worst time and ended up in P20 for the sprint race.

Sebastian Vettel still made it to 13th place.

So a bittersweet moment for the Haas team.

Kevin Magnussen also secured the very first pole position for the American racing team since the start in Formula 1. Günther Steiner, however, had clear words about the situation with Mick Schumacher after qualifying: “I almost felt sorry for Mick.

His first runs in qualifying were really good.

With the slicks he then lost the temperature in the tires, had less confidence in the car and it just didn't work out anymore.

We all know Mick has had very good moments and very bad moments this year - it's been up and down!"

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Steiner also said that the decision on who gets the second Haas cockpit will be made during the week of the finals in Abu Dhabi on November 20th.

However, he did not want to give an exact date.

Mick Schumacher's biggest competitor is still a German: Nico Hulkenberg.

Schumacher's race outcome on Sunday (November 13) will therefore be essential in Haas' decision.