After the chaos Saturday with a severe storm and the cancellation of qualification, Formula 1 is facing a very stressful Sunday in the middle of the title fight.
02. November 2024
Because heavy rain was also feared in the afternoon on race day, those responsible for the premier motorsport class quickly moved the Brazilian Grand Prix forward by an hour and a half to 12.30 p.m. local time (4.30 p.m. CET). Five hours beforehand there is also the qualification at 7.30 a.m. in São Paulo.
“This will ensure we maximize the chances of giving fans a day of racing action and both the FIA and Formula 1 believe this time difference is necessary and the right thing for all of our passionate fans,” one said joint statement as the last supporters left the Autodrómo on Saturday evening. A day that once again cemented the legendary status of the course for drama and spectacle despite limited travel times.
After World Championship pursuer Lando Norris‘ victory in the sprint race, with which the British McLaren driver reduced the gap to defending champion Max Verstappen to 44 points on a still dry track, a storm raged. Some torrential rain had started less than an hour before the knockout, and 1:45 hours after the planned start of qualifying, the race management made the decision to cancel it. “We can’t control the weather. The conditions were not safe enough,” emphasized Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali.
Qualification and race on the same day
The hunt for the best starting positions will now take place on Sunday. For the teams and their many employees it will be a half-night shift with a long day. Because after the race, the clean-up work begins immediately. And that at the end of an exhausting three-pack with the races in Austin in the US state of Texas, in Mexico City and São Paulo one after the other without a breather.
The early timing of the rescheduling in Brazil is also intended to prevent further cancellations given the weather forecasts. A Grand Prix had to be canceled on site twice, in Belgium in 1985 due to severe damage to the asphalt, and then in Melbourne in 2020 due to the corona pandemic.
