Kevin Magnussen has remarkably earned Haas their first-ever pole position in a Formula 1 race after a rain-hit qualifying session in Brazil.

The usual suspects, including already-crowned world champion Max Verstappen, had been expected to battle it out for first spot on the grid for Saturday's sprint race.

However, after a set of circumstances which all worked in his favour, Magnussen will now start on pole ahead of Red Bull driver Verstappen.

Speaking afterwards, Magnussen said: "I don't know what to say. The team put me out on track at exactly the right moment.

"We were the first out in the pit lane and did a pretty decent lap and we're on pole. It's incredible."

After Magnussen recorded the best lap time during the early stages of Q3, a red flag was administered after George Russell spun into the gravel trap.

While there was a break in action, rain begun to come down, subsequently hindering each of the other nine participants and giving the Dane his greatest achievement in Formula 1.

Despite his spin, Russell was able to put his Mercedes on the second row in third place, where he is joined by British compatriot Lando Norris in his McLaren.

After Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr was fifth fastest, the Alpine duo of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso took sixth and seventh respectively, with Lewis Hamilton in eighth.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez could only qualify in ninth position, while Charles Leclerc was unable to record a lap time and will start in 10th.