Start of qualifying delayed at Interlagos due to downpour · RaceFans

A downpour at the Interlagos circuit has delayed the start of the qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The session was originally due to begin at 3pm local time. However it had not begun over an hour later due to heavy and persistent rain at the Interlagos circuit.

The first three sessions of the weekend were held in dry conditions, including the sprint race which started at 11am on Saturday morning. But around an hour before qualifying was due to begin a thunderstorm hit the track, bringing a sustained downpour with it.

After confirming the session would not begin on time, the FIA originally stated it would aim for a revised starting time of 4pm. However as rain continued to fall this was postponed to 4:15pm and eventually 4:30pm.

Race director Niels Wittich has toured the track in the Safety Car with sporting director Tim Malyon and driver Bernd Maylander. Following his last inspection at around 4pm Wittich said the track was not ready “at the moment.”

“We have to wait a few minutes to see if the conditions [improve] a little bit,” he told Sky.

F1 faces the added pressure of fitting the session in before sunset, which is due to fall at 6:21pm local time in Sao Paulo today.

If today’s session cannot go ahead F1 has the option of postponing qualifying until tomorrow. However the weather forecast for Sunday indicates a strong likelihood of further sustained rainfall.

This article will be updated

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free