Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying was postponed till Sunday after heavy rain and thunderstorms prevented the session from going down as scheduled on Saturday.
Lando Norris accomplished a Dash victory earlier on Saturday to cut back Max Verstappen’s world championship result in 44 factors, however a downpour – together with thunder and lightning – prevented any additional observe motion from going down at Interlagos.
The session was pushed again a number of instances from its initially scheduled begin of 6pm, however nearly two hours after it was meant to start, race director Niels Wittich formally known as it off.
An FIA assertion stated: “The Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is postponed.
“The choice was taken because of the lack of visibility attributable to the extent of rain we now have skilled previously few hours. There may be quite a lot of standing water on components of the circuit which renders circumstances unsafe.
“As a lot as we’d all prefer to see competitors on observe, the security of drivers, staff members, volunteers, officers and spectators is our important precedence.
“A call on a begin time for Qualifying tomorrow morning shall be taken as quickly as attainable.”
Highlights of the Dash from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The stakes are extraordinarily excessive given there are – together with this weekend – solely 4 rounds remaining in what has develop into an engrossing title battle between Crimson Bull’s Verstappen and McLaren’s Norris.
There may be the potential for additional delays on Sunday with extra rain forecast on the well-known circuit, which has seen its unpredictable native climate system contribute to a number of the most memorable moments in Method 1 historical past.
There is no such thing as a provision within the sport’s present laws that dictate how the grid could be set within the occasion additional rain prevented qualifying from going down on Sunday, however the race was in a position to go forward.
The FIA confirmed to Sky Sports activities Information that the choice could be made by the stewards if mandatory, however stated their most well-liked possibility stays to run qualifying on Sunday morning.
Within the occasion the classification from the one apply session of the weekend was used, Norris was quickest whereas Verstappen was fifteenth.
One other risk could be to make use of the order set by Dash Qualifying, which noticed Norris end second to team-mate Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen in fourth.
In the course of the rain delay in qualifying, Ted Kravitz went into the Mercedes paddock in an try and name staff principal Toto Wolff, who was absent from Interlagos!
It is the primary time because the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix {that a} qualifying session has been pushed again to Sunday. The Suzuka occasion suffered the identical destiny in 2004 and 2010.
Qualifying was additionally pushed again on the 2015 United States Grand Prix, whereas climate meant qualifying on the 2013 Australian Grand Prix was reduce quick.
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Sao Paulo GP schedule
Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Sunday November 3
TBC: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP response
8pm: Ted’s Pocket book
Method 1’s Americas triple header concludes this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with each session stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
