The Sao Paulo Grand Prix begin has been moved 90 minutes earlier – with Qualifying additionally happening on Sunday morning – as dangerous climate wreaked havoc with the occasion’s schedule.
Qualifying was postponed till Sunday after heavy rain and thunderstorms prevented the session from happening as scheduled on Saturday.
When creating a brand new schedule for Sunday – with Qualifying confirmed for 10.30am – the game’s bosses then additionally determined to maneuver the beginning of the race ahead by 90 minutes to three.30pm, amid fears over the forecast of extra afternoon rain.
Lando Norris accomplished a Dash victory earlier on Saturday to scale back Max Verstappen’s world championship result in 44 factors, however a downpour – together with thunder and lightning – prevented any additional observe motion from happening at Interlagos.
Qualifying was pushed again a number of instances from its initially scheduled begin of 6pm on Saturday, however virtually two hours after it was meant to start, race director Niels Wittich formally known as it off.
A joint assertion from Components 1 and the FIA stated: “Following the situations in Sao Paulo right this moment the choice was taken to not proceed with Qualifying because of poor visibility, standing water on the observe and fading gentle.
“Security is all the time the paramount consideration in such circumstances and whereas as a lot time as attainable was given to permit situations to enhance they sadly didn’t. We now have enormous appreciation for all of the followers that stayed on the circuit in hope of seeing automobiles on observe right this moment.
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Lewis Hamilton joked with Components One boss Stefano Domenicali that the drivers ought to have been allowed to exit for qualifying in Brazil, with the session postponed due to torrential rain.
“Therefore the decision has been taken, after consultation with the stewards, to schedule Qualifying for 07:30 local time (10.30am UK) on Sunday morning ahead of the Grand Prix at 12:30 local (3.30pm UK).
“This can guarantee we maximise the probabilities or offering the followers with a day of racing motion and each the FIA and Components 1 consider this time change is important and the suitable factor to do for all our passionate followers.
“We thank everyone for their patience today including the fans, drivers, teams, marshals, circuit staff and media and hope to give everyone an exciting event on Sunday.”
The stakes are extraordinarily excessive given there are – together with this weekend – solely 4 rounds remaining in what has turn out to be an engrossing title battle between Crimson Bull’s Verstappen and McLaren’s Norris.
Whereas the brand new amended scheduled seeks to keep away from such a scenario, there stays a possible for additional delays on Sunday on the well-known circuit, which has seen its unpredictable native climate system contribute to among the most memorable moments in Components 1 historical past.
There isn’t any provision within the sport’s present laws that dictate how the grid can be set within the occasion additional rain prevented qualifying from happening on Sunday, however the race was capable of go forward.
The FIA confirmed to Sky Sports activities Information that the choice can be made by the stewards if mandatory, however stated their most popular possibility stays to run qualifying on Sunday morning.
Within the occasion the classification from the one observe session of the weekend was used, Norris was quickest whereas Verstappen was fifteenth.
One other chance can 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.
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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!
No matter how his qualifying place is established, Verstappen will obtain a five-place grid penalty for the race, because of taking a brand new engine at first of the weekend.
It is the primary time for the reason that 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 minimize quick.
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Sao Paulo GP schedule
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Look again at among the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Sunday November 3
10am Sao Paulo Qualifying build-up
10.30am: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
2pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
3.30pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
5.30pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP response
6.30pm: Ted’s Pocket book
Components 1’s Americas triple header concludes this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with each session dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
