Norris: It's going to be a big challenge tomorrow

Norris has had the measure of his teammate Oscar Piastri for the last four Grand Prix weekends, and took the lead of the Drivers' Championship for the first time after the Mexico City Grand Prix.

His status as the faster of the two McLarens has continued at the Interlagos Circuit, as he took Sprint Qualifying pole and duly converted it into Sprint victory. His advantage over Piastri in the Standings now stands at nine points.

Instead of Piastri, it has been the Mercedes of Antonelli who has been Norris' closest competitor. The Italian teenager finished less than a second adrift of the winner in the Sprint, and will line up alongside the McLaren driver on Sunday's race, with Leclerc and Piastri occupying third and fourth on the grid respectively.

Norris admitted that while he is happy to be starting at the head of the field, he will need to keep an eye on his mirrors for a fast-starting Mercedes and Ferrari just behind.

He said: "I learned that they’re pretty quick and that Kimi pushes all the way until the very end.

"In some ways looking forward to it, in some ways I’m not. I think it’s going to be a big challenge tomorrow. We have to see what the weather is going to do again.

"So far this weekend has been clean, so I’m hoping they (Antonelli and Leclerc) don’t ruin it," Norris quipped.

Piastri on the other hand will have his eyes fully forward during the Grand Prix, with the aim of making up a few places from P4 and challenging for the race victory. He provided some insight into why he couldn't place his MCL39 on the front row of the grid.

He stated: "Just didn't go any faster [at the end of Q3]. That was the biggest thing. Just very different conditions to what we had yesterday and everything felt much trickier today.

"A bit disappointing with the result but the car has looked quick this weekend, especially over a longer run, so hopefully I can take advantage of that tomorrow.

"Ultimately I will try and take whatever opportunities arise and if I can make progress forwards and put some pressure on, I will. But got to get there first," Piastri concluded.

Will Norris convert pole position into victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix? The race commences Sunday 9 November at 17:00 GMT (14:00 local time).