Qualifying for Sao Paulo GP postponed due to torrential rain

Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix has been postponed until Sunday morning, with a decision on a start time to be taken by the FIA as soon as possible.

The session had been due to run at 15:00 local time on Saturday afternoon at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, but the start of Q1 was postponed when torrential rain – along with thunder and lightning – hit the circuit, resulting in pools of water forming on the track.

As the rain continued to fall in the time that followed – and with the forecast suggesting there would be no abating in the weather – it was announced that qualifying would not be able to take place, with the session now set to run on Sunday prior to the Grand Prix.

A statement released by the FIA said: “The decision was taken due to the lack of visibility caused by the level of rain we have experienced in the past few hours. There is a lot of standing water on parts of the circuit which renders conditions unsafe.

“As much as we would all like to see competition on track, the safety of drivers, team members, volunteers, officials and spectators is our main priority.

“A decision on a start time for qualifying tomorrow morning will be taken as soon as possible.”