For the first time since 1975, an American team has the pole in a Formula 1 race. Haas’ Kevin Magnussen earned his first-ever pole position for the São Paulo Grand Prix on Friday.
Magnussen was able to maneuver his way across the rainy Interlagos Circuit and earn the historic pole position. A strong third qualifying session, coupled with some bad weather, gave the Danish driver a chance to beat two-time world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes’s George Russell, who happened to finish in second place and third place, respectively.
“I don’t know what to say,” Magnussen said afterward. “The team put me out on the track at exactly the right moment. I mean we were first out of the pit lane and I did a pretty decent lap and we’re on pole. It’s incredible.”
Now, Magnussen, who recently returned to Haas this season after spending a year away from the F1 racetrack, gives him a prime starting spot for Saturday’s sprint race at Interlagos. How that sprint goes will determine how the 20 drivers line up for Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix.
Magnussen came into the weekend in 13th place in the drivers’ standings (24 points) while Haas is in eighth place (36 points) in the constructors’ championship. If Magnussen remains competitive this weekend, expect them both to rise up those rankings.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.