Less than an hour before the start of qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix this Saturday, downpours of water accompanied by thunderstorms fell on the famous Brazilian track of Interlagos, leading the race management to postpone the deadline several times . Although the rain gradually calmed down, it continued to fall around the circuit.
“The decision was taken due to the lack of visibility caused by the rain we have experienced in recent hours. There is a lot of standing water on parts of the circuit, making conditions dangerous.”explained the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in a press release published on Saturday, two hours after the initial start of the session.
Championship leader Max Verstappen (Red Bull) will only start 6th at best. Indeed, the three-time reigning champion received a penalty of five places due to a change of internal combustion engine beyond the authorized quotas.
“Mad Max” can however hope to move up the hierarchy, especially as rain – in which the Dutchman can perform well – is expected again on Sunday.
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What if the qualifiers don't take place?
He will have to hope that the weather conditions allow qualifying to take place early in the morning. Because if this were not the case, according to the regulations, it is the classification of the third free practice session which would determine the starting grid for the GP.
However, the Brazilian GP, 21st round out of 24 of the season, is the penultimate of the six meetings of the year to offer a sprint format, which modifies the course of the weekend.
The drivers therefore only completed one free practice session on Friday (compared to three usually) before qualifying which determined the grid for the sprint race.
It is the classification of this single test session of the weekend which could then determine the starting grid for the GP – a session that Lando Norris, second overall behind Verstappen, dominated in front of two of his compatriots, George Russell (Mercedes ) and Oliver Bearman, who replaces the ill Dane Kevin Magnussen at Haas.
Only 15th out of 20, Verstappen would start last in this scenario due to his penalty.
