F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Qualifying postponed due to torrential rain in Sao Paulo
F1 live updates as qualifying is postponed due to horrendous weather in Sao Paulo
Qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix was postponed on Saturday evening due to heavy rain at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo.
Qualifying will now take place on Sunday, with an expected start time of 9am local time (12pm GMT), though heavy rain is expected then too.
It remains to be seen how the grid for Sunday’s race would be decided if qualifying was unable to take place.
The session, which sets the grid for Sunday’s grand prix, was constantly pushed back on Saturday afternoon, with the FIA conducting regular checks of the track surface.
Follow all the latest updates from the Brazilian Grand Prix with The Independent
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella:
“We were monitoring the gaps before to Leclerc and Verstappen to see if we could execute an easy overtake. The gap never materialised.
“We needed to see the VSC, so we immediately executed. It would not be possible without both drivers, we’re happy with the conversations which are happening right now. The support Oscar gave for Lando.
“Ideally, we’d do it earlier but the situation never materialised. As soon as you swap, there’s a possibility to overtake the McLaren. The team result comes first.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner on Verstappen’s potential penalty:
“On everything we can see, it looks OK. Let’s see.
“Reading the race, I think the most encouraging thing was the race-pace, it was encouraging.
“There’s some things that we’re starting to understand.”
Start times this weekend in Brazil:
All times GMT
Saturday 2 November
- Qualifying: 6pm
Sunday 3 November
- Race: 5pm
Lando Norris after winning the sprint race:
“Not proud about it but we worked well as a team, thanks to Oscar. Oscar deserved it, we’re doing what we have to do. Looking forward to qualifying.
“It was yo-yo’ing a little bit, I felt a bit quicker but couldn’t pass at the time. We were clearly quicker than the guys behind, we executed it well.”
Norris now 45 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship.
Oscar Piastri after finishing second:
“Great day for the team, a lot of points. We learned a lot for the race tomorrow as well.
“The pace looked OK, Max was very quick at the end. Let’s see, we have a few things we want to improve. We’re in decent shape.”
Max Verstappen after finishing third:
“Quite pleased with that, took some time with Charles. It was promising, a lot of unknowns, today was good.
“I still expect McLaren to be really quick over one lap, hopefully we can limit the damage with the five-place grid penalty I have.”
Max Verstappen under investigation!
Verstappen could be in trouble here!
The stewards have noted a potential VSC infringement - did he go too early in attacking Piastri on the final lap?!
TOP-8 IN THE BRAZIL GP SPRINT RACE:
1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Max Verstappen
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Carlos Sainz
6. George Russell
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Sergio Perez
Oscar Piastri on team radio:
“Good day for the team,” says Piastri.
But he’s downbeat, as you can imagine!
F1 Brazil GP LIVE: Lando Norris wins sprint race!
Lando Norris wins the sprint race to cut the gap to Max Verstappen in the championship by two points!
Oscar Piastri holds off Verstappen for second - with a hairy moment on the final lap at turn four - with the Dutchman third!
4-8: Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Gasly, Perez
Liam Lawson just misses out on points in ninth!
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