F1 teams and drivers are bracing for “highly uncertain” weather conditions at Saturday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with the risk of heavy rain and strong winds.
Interlagos’ opening day on Friday saw dry conditions, but conditions are expected to remain even more volatile until Saturday, when the 24-lap sprint will be followed by Sunday’s Grand Prix qualifying.
The sprint is scheduled for just before lunchtime local time (2pm in the UK and Ireland, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event), with full qualifying taking place in the afternoon (6pm UK time).
McLaren’s title-leading driver Lando Norris, who took pole position in the sprint, said: “Of course we have to be prepared for both (dry and wet) conditions.
“We’re expecting heavy rain in the morning and incredible winds at the same time, so we’ll see what happens.”
Regarding the possibility of rain, he added: “There’s nothing to worry about for now. I’m happy with today. It was difficult. Good job. We put things together. Now the focus will switch to tomorrow.”
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McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri reflect on the first day of the Sao Paulo GP
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said: “We are aware that tomorrow’s weather conditions are very uncertain. We must perfect every operation on track and in the garage in order to score as many points as possible.”
Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) has currently issued an orange weather warning for areas of Brazil, including the São Paulo metropolitan area, where Interlagos is located, until the end of Saturday due to heavy rain and strong winds.
FIA race director Louis Marquez informed teams after sprint qualifying that they would be allowed to close pit lane garage doors on Friday night “due to expected severe weather conditions”.
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McLaren’s Lando Norris takes pole position for the São Paulo GP sprint race, with Kimi Antonelli joining Norris in second on the front row
Unpredictable weather is an annual factor when F1 visits Brazil.
Last year, due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, qualifying was not held as scheduled on Saturday, and the session was moved to Sunday morning ahead of the race.
Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg, who qualified 10th for the sprint, said: “Obviously the weather forecast looks like it’s going to be pretty rainy at times. I hope we can run, but if you remember last year that’s always the problem. It was obviously too wet and that didn’t work either.”
“Let’s see what happens. Hopefully we can run and put on a good show for the fans here.”
Will Verstappen and Piastri be able to return to Norris if it rains?
Depending on whether it rains during F1’s scheduled running time on Saturday, and the amount of rain on the undulating track where rivers of standing water form and require safety cars and red flags, the unpredictable sprint could give Norris’ two title rivals a chance to overturn the pole-sitter title leader.
Max Verstappen, who trails the Briton by 36 points, only qualified sixth in dry conditions as he struggled with the Red Bull car, but is regarded as the sport’s current wet-weather specialist, winning last year’s full Grand Prix in Brazil from 17th on the grid in the rain.
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Max Verstappen blames ‘vibrations in the car’ and ‘grip’ after struggling in São Paulo GP sprint qualifying
However, the Dutchman warned that sudden changes in direction could occur in the rain.
“I don’t know, you’ll find out soon,” he said. “It’s clear that we’re missing something and I don’t think we’re suddenly going to get miles better in wet conditions, but we’ll find out tomorrow.”
“It’s going to be an interesting day, let’s see what the weather will be like,” said Oscar Piastri, who will start the sprint third between Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and teammate Norris.
“I’ll try to take any chances I get. I think the pace of the car was really good, so I hope that translates into results.”
Sky Sports F1 Sao Paulo GP Schedule
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A look back at some of the most dramatic moments that happened at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Saturday, November 8th
1pm: Sao Paulo GP Sprint Build-up
2pm: São Paulo GP Sprint*
3:30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
5pm: Sao Paulo GP qualifying build-up
6pm: Sao Paulo GP Qualifying
8pm: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Sunday, November 9th
3:30pm: Sunday’s Grand Prix: Sao Paulo GP Build-up
5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix
7pm: Checkered flag: São Paulo GP reaction
8pm: Ted’s Notes
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s thrilling title race continues in Brazil, with the São Paulo Grand Prix sprint weekend being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
