The Sao Paulo Grand Prix begin has been moved 90 minutes earlier – with Qualifying additionally happening on Sunday morning – as unhealthy 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 cut back Max Verstappen’s world championship result in 44 factors, however a downpour – together with thunder and lightning – prevented any additional monitor motion from happening at Interlagos.
Qualifying was pushed again a number of occasions from its initially scheduled begin of 6pm on Saturday, however nearly two hours after it was meant to start, race director Niels Wittich formally referred to as it off.
A joint assertion from System 1 and the FIA stated: “Following the situations in Sao Paulo as we speak the choice was taken to not proceed with Qualifying as a result of poor visibility, standing water on the monitor and fading mild.
“Security is at all times the paramount consideration in such circumstances and whereas as a lot time as potential was given to permit situations to enhance they sadly didn’t. Now we have enormous appreciation for all of the followers that stayed on the circuit in hope of seeing vehicles on monitor as we speak.
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Lewis Hamilton joked with System 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).
“It will guarantee we maximise the probabilities or offering the followers with a day of racing motion and each the FIA and System 1 consider this time change is important and the precise 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 develop into 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 state of affairs, there stays a possible for additional delays on Sunday on the well-known circuit, which has seen its unpredictable native climate system contribute to a few of the most memorable moments in System 1 historical past.
There isn’t any provision within the sport’s present laws that dictate how the grid could be set within the occasion additional rain prevented qualifying from happening on Sunday, however the race was in a position to go forward.
The FIA confirmed to Sky Sports activities Information that the choice could be made by the stewards if crucial, 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 risk could 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 to name crew 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 the beginning of the weekend.
It is the primary time because the 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 lower quick.
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Sao Paulo GP schedule
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Look again at a few of 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
System 1’s Americas triple header concludes this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with each session reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
