The highly anticipated Sao Paulo Grand Prix qualifying session has been postponed until Sunday morning, leaving the Formula 1 world in a state of suspense. Heavy rain and thunderstorms battered the Interlagos circuit on Saturday, rendering track conditions unsafe and forcing race director Niels Wittich to call off the session.
This postponement adds another dramatic twist to the already electrifying championship battle between reigning champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who won the Sprint race earlier on Saturday. The delay gives Norris a chance to close the gap on Verstappen, who currently leads the championship standings by 44 points.
The session was initially scheduled for 6 pm local time but was pushed back multiple times due to the relentless rain. Despite hopes that the weather would improve, the downpour persisted, forcing the decision to postpone qualifying until Sunday. An FIA statement highlighted the importance of prioritizing the safety of drivers, team members, volunteers, officials, and spectators.
The FIA has yet to announce a definitive start time for Sunday’s qualifying session, but it is likely to take place in the morning. There is a possibility of further delays on Sunday, as more rain is forecast for the Interlagos circuit. This unpredictable weather has often played a significant role in creating some of Formula 1’s most memorable moments at this iconic track.
The stakes are incredibly high, with only four rounds remaining in the championship, including this weekend’s race. The sport’s current regulations do not specifically address how the grid would be determined if qualifying is unable to take place on Sunday due to further rain. However, the race itself is still scheduled to go ahead.
The FIA has confirmed to Sky Sports News that a decision on the grid order would be made by the stewards if necessary. Their preferred option remains to run qualifying on Sunday morning. If qualifying is impossible, the grid order could be based on the results of the only practice session of the weekend, where Norris was fastest, and Verstappen finished 15th. Another possibility is to use the order from the Sprint Qualifying, with Norris finishing second behind his teammate Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen in fourth.
This is the first time since the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix that a qualifying session has been pushed back to Sunday. Suzuka experienced similar delays in 2004 and 2010. Qualifying was also postponed at the 2015 United States Grand Prix, and weather conditions cut short qualifying at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is the concluding race of Formula 1’s Americas triple header, bringing a thrilling end to a season filled with dramatic twists and turns. The race promises to be a captivating spectacle, with all eyes on the championship battle and the potential for a weather-affected race.
