Qualifying for the 2024 Sao Paulo GP in Brazil has been delayed as the heavens have opened up at the Interlagos circuit. The weather forecast looks dim and it might be the case that the qualifying session is called off for the day. However, in that case, how will the grid be lined up for the Grand Prix tomorrow?
Well, the regulations dictate that the results of the last Free Practice session will be taken into account to set the grid for the Grand Prix.
However, the FIA has the power to take the final call. For instance, during the Belgian GP last year, the FIA notified the teams that if qualifying were to be canceled, the free practice results would not be used to make the grid up.
Although, in the past, the FIA has always ensured that qualifying takes place. For that, they were ready to reschedule it to another date altogether.
The recent update reveals that the qualifying has been postponed for Sunday morning. Therefore, the grid order would be determined before the main race.
But in case even that is not possible due to unfavourable weather, it’s up to the stewards how the grid is ordered as there’s no provision in the current sporting regulations for this scenario.
That rain looks heavy, delayed qualifying maybe?#BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/NinkmyjQeR
— RBR News (@redbulletin) November 2, 2024
This is not the first time when it has happened in F1, the qualifying for the 2019 Japanese GP was canceled on Saturday owing to a typhoon in the region. However, F1 shifted the session to the morning of the Grand Prix on Sunday.
What’s the update from the ground at Sao Paulo?
The FIA are keen to get the proceedings underway, however, as things stand the weather conditions don’t look to be improving. Rain is still rampant and the Race Director, Niels Wittich isn’t convinced yet from a safety perspective.
Moreover, the drivers will not be able to take to the track once the sun sets in the city of Sao Paulo. At the time of writing, less than two hours remain for sunset. With qualifying taking at least an hour, it seems ever so likely that the session will not take place.
When asked for an update, Wittich was quoted, “I don’t know at the moment. We will have to see if the weather improves.”
