Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying was postponed till Sunday after heavy rain and thunderstorms prevented the session from happening as scheduled on Saturday.
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 observe motion from happening at Interlagos.
The session was pushed again a number of occasions from its initially scheduled begin of 6pm, however virtually two hours after it was meant to start, race director Niels Wittich formally referred to as it off.
An FIA assertion mentioned: “The Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is postponed.
“The choice was taken as a result of lack of visibility brought on by the extent of rain now we have skilled previously few hours. There may be lots of standing water on elements of the circuit which renders situations unsafe.
“As a lot as we might all prefer to see competitors on observe, the security of drivers, workforce members, volunteers, officers and spectators is our most important precedence.
“A decision on a start time for Qualifying tomorrow morning will be taken as soon as possible.”
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Highlights of the Dash from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The stakes are extraordinarily excessive given there are – together with this weekend – solely 4 rounds remaining in what has change into an engrossing title battle between Purple Bull’s Verstappen and McLaren’s Norris.
There may be the potential for additional delays on Sunday with extra rain forecast on the well-known circuit, which has seen its unpredictable native climate system contribute to among the most memorable moments in System 1 historical past.
There isn’t any provision within the sport’s present rules that dictate how the grid could 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 could be made by the stewards if mandatory, however mentioned their most popular choice 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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Throughout the rain delay in qualifying, Ted Kravitz went into the Mercedes paddock in an try to name workforce principal Toto Wolff, who was absent from Interlagos!
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 reduce brief.
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside 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
TBC: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP response
8pm: 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
