Qualifying for the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil has been postponed to Sunday morning after a deluge brought an end to Saturday’s running at Interlagos.
Whereas Saturday’s Sprint race got underway amid dry conditions, a heavy weather storm rolled through Interlagos in the build-up to qualifying for Sunday’s GP.
With the rain unrelenting, the FIA stepped in to delay qualifying, which was slated to get underway at 15:00 local time.
A series of delays pushed back qualifying to an estimated start time of 17:00.
But with the wet weather failing to subside, and an 18:20 sunset looming, the FIA postponed the session.
Standing water and dwindling light posed too great a safety risk to continue with running on Saturday.
The FIA says that a “decision on a start time for qualifying tomorrow morning will be taken as soon as possible.”
The last time this occurred was in 2019 at Suzuka, a circuit famed for wet weather in its old Autumn slot on the calendar.
Previous Sunday qualifying sessions occurred in Japan in 2004 and 2010.
Australia held a sole Q3 session in 2013 on a Sunday, with the 2015 United States GP delaying its qualifying to Sunday as well.
Stefan Domenicali praises patient fans amid F1 qualifying delay
With the Sao Paulo GP being a Sprint weekend, it sets an unprecedented situation should qualifying not be completed on Sunday.
If qualifying cannot be held, the Stewards will determine Sunday’s grid with the classification of one of the previous sessions.
With rain forecast for Sunday afternoon, there’s also no guarantee whether the GP will go ahead as well.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed the plan to do qualifying on Sunday morning.
“Yes, that’s the plan for now,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“The FIA is doing the final check on what could be the right timing to organise the quali, and follow up the plan to complete the day.”
Speaking to F1TV, Domenicali added: “Let me once again reiterate the fact that these fans are incredible.
“We cannot control the weather and it’s a pity, but the conditions are not safe to drive.
“It’s as simple as that and there is a problem also with light.
“So, unfortunately, that’s the situation we have to manage.”
More to follow.
READ MORE – F1 Brazil GP qualifying delayed amid Interlagos deluge
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