FIA have adjusted the timings for 2024 Sao Paulo Qualifying and Grand Prix, due to rain forecasts on Sunday 3 November 2024.
Torrential rainfall saw Qualifying postponed until Sunday after a 105 minute delay and eight separate 15-minute delays in hope of unsuccessful improvement in track conditions.
FIA consequently decided to reschedule Qualifying for 7:30am local time (10:30am GMT) in the morning, whilst the race was brought forward by 90 minutes to 12:30pm local time (3:30pm GMT).
Upon confirmation of the schedule changes, FIA released a statement explaining that ‘poor visibility’ caused Qualifying to be postponed, whilst the decision to bring the race forward was to maximise their chance of providing a 71-lap event.
‘Following the conditions in São Paulo today the decision was taken not to proceed with Qualifying due to poor visibility, standing water on the track and fading light.
‘Safety is always the paramount consideration in such circumstances and while as much time as possible was given to allow conditions to improve they sadly did not.
‘We have huge appreciation for all the fans that stayed at the circuit in hope of seeing cars on track today.
‘Therefore the decision has been taken, after consultation with the stewards, to schedule Qualifying for 07:30 local time on Sunday morning ahead of the Grand Prix at 12:30 local.
‘This will ensure we maximise the chances or providing the fans with a day of racing action and both the FIA and Formula 1 believe this time change is necessary and the right thing to do for all our passionate fans.
‘We thank everyone for their patience today including the fans, drivers, teams, marshals, circuit staff and media and hope to give everyone an exciting event on Sunday.’
Should Qualifying be rained off, the grid will be set off practice times which would put Lando Norris on pole from George Russell and Oliver Bearman, whilst Max Verstappen would start last due to a five-place grid penalty for a power unit change.
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