The start of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix has been moved 90 minutes earlier – with Qualifying also taking place on Sunday morning – as bad weather caused havoc with the event’s schedule.
Qualifying was postponed until Sunday after heavy rain and thunderstorms prevented the session from going ahead as scheduled on Saturday.
When making a new schedule for Sunday – with Qualifying confirmed for 10.30am – the sports chief then also decided to move the start of the race forward 90 minutes to 15.30, amid fears over the forecast of another afternoon rain.
Lando Norris wrapped up Saturday’s Sprint victory to cut world champion Max Verstappen’s lead to 44 points, but heavy rain – along with thunder and lightning – prevented further track action at Interlagos.
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Lewis Hamilton joked with Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali that the drivers should be allowed out for qualifying in Brazil, with the session delayed due to heavy rain.
Qualifying was rejected several times from the scheduled start of 6pm, but almost two hours after the start, race director Niels Wittich officially called it off.
A joint statement from Formula 1 and the FIA ​​said: “According to the conditions in Sao Paulo today, the decision was taken not to continue qualifying due to low visibility, standing water on the track and poor lighting.
“Safety is always the most important consideration in such a situation and as much as possible was given so that the situation could improve, but unfortunately it did not. .
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Lewis Hamilton joked with Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali that drivers should be allowed out for qualifying in Brazil, with the session delayed due to heavy rain.
“The decision has therefore been taken, after consultation with the stewards, to schedule the Qualifying for 07:30 local time (10:30 am UK) on Sunday morning before the Grand Prix at 12:30 local time (3:30 pm UK).
“This will ensure that we can maximize the possibility or provide fans with a day of racing action and the FIA ​​and Formula 1 believe that this time change is necessary and the right thing for all passionate fans.
“We thank everyone for their patience today including the fans, drivers, teams, marshals, circuit staff and the media and look forward to delivering an exciting event on Sunday.”
The stakes are very high as there are – including this weekend – only four rounds left in the thrilling title battle between Red Bull’s Verstappen and McLaren’s Norris.
While the new revised schedule seeks to avoid such a situation, there is still the potential for more delays in the famous circuit, which has seen the unpredictable local weather system contribute to some of the most memorable moments in the history of Formula 1.
There is no provision in the current regulations of the sport that dictates how the box will be set in the event of more rain preventing the qualification from taking place there, but the race can go ahead.
FIA confirmed for Sky Sports News that the decision will be made by the stewards if necessary, but said that the preferred option remains to open the qualification on Friday morning.
In the classification event from only the weekend practice session used, Norris was fastest while Verstappen was 15th.
Another possibility is to use the order set by Sprint Qualifying, which saw Norris finish second behind team-mate Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen in fourth.
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During a rain delay in qualifying, Ted Kravitz entered the Mercedes paddock to try to call team principal Toto Wolff, who was absent at Interlagos!
Regardless of how the qualifying position is established, Verstappen will receive a grid penalty of five places for the race, as a result of getting a new engine at the start of the weekend.
This is the first time since the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix that the qualifying session has been postponed to Sunday. The Suzuka event suffered a similar fate in 2004 and 2010.
Qualifying was also postponed at the 2015 United States Grand Prix, while weather meant qualifying at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix was cut short.
Sao Paulo GP schedule live Sky Sports F1
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments that took place at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Sunday November 3rd
10am Sao Paulo Qualifying build-up
10.30: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFICATIONS
2pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
15.30: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
17.30: Checkered Flag: Reaction to GP Sao Paulo
18.30: Ted’s Notebook
America’s Formula 1 triple header concludes this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with Sports Month Membership NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
