At the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the qualifying session was originally set for late Saturday, but has now been postponed. The decision came amid torrential rain that made the track unsafe for the race.

The FIA’s decision was driven primarily by these safety concerns, as heavy rain significantly reduced visibility and left standing water in several sections of the circuit. This disruption is not unprecedented given Interlagos’ history with crazy weather.

Upon announcing the postponement, the The FIA ​​released a statement:

“Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is ​​postponed.

“The decision was taken due to the lack of visibility due to the level of rain we have experienced in the last few hours. There is a lot of standing water on portions of the circuit, making conditions unsafe.

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

“A decision on the start time for tomorrow morning’s qualifying will be made as soon as possible.”

The delay was not a surprise. Located in a valley, this iconic circuit often experiences severe weather changes, leading to similar disruptions in the past. The potential for reprogramming adds complexity; should this prove impossible, grid positions could be determined by the results of FP1, a scenario which is likely to be unfair given that it does not accurately reflect the drivers’ capabilities in competitive conditions.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had the following to say after the postponement was confirmed:

“First of all, let me reiterate that these fans are incredible. We can’t control the weather. It’s a shame, but the conditions are not safe to drive.

“There is a light problem that will be coming to the track very soon and unfortunately that is the situation we have to deal with.”

He continued, confirming that the FIA ​​will reschedule the qualifying session instead of simply canceling it:

“Yes. This is the plan and the FIA ​​will check what are the right times and follow the plan to complete the day.

“It’s a great event and we need to make sure we can maximize everything under acceptable conditions.”