Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
SAO PAULO — Qualifying for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix has been delayed due to heavy rain at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo.
A thunderstorm hit the circuit less than an hour before the scheduled start time, with persistent rain thereafter.
After confirming the session would be delayed from its original start time of 3 p.m., the FIA conducted track inspections at 15-minute intervals while circuit workers attempted to sweep away standing water.
If the session is unable to start before sunset at the circuit, the FIA has the option to postpone qualifying until Sunday morning – as was the case at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix when Typhoon Hagibis made landfall on qualifying day.
Saturday’s sprint race took place in dry conditions on Saturday morning, with Lando Norris securing victory after teammate Oscar Piastri was instructed by McLaren to give up the lead.
Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix is set to be a key moment in the title battle between Max Verstappen and Norris, with the Red Bull driver leading the McLaren driver by 44 points after Saturday’s sprint race.
Verstappen will take a five-place grid penalty from wherever he qualifies for Sunday’s race after his Red Bull was fitted another engine beyond his quota for the season on Friday.