Sao Paulo qualifying delayed as heavy rain hits Interlagos

Heavy rain delayed qualifying for Formula One’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos on Saturday, after conditions worsened just before the scheduled 3 pm start. The disruption matters because standing water made the track unsafe, forcing officials to halt the session at a circuit known for weather-affected races.

Drivers initially left the pit lane, but a red flag came out two minutes later. Newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli reported aquaplaning as soon as he joined the track, while safety car driver Bernd Maylander said water across the circuit, including on the straights, created a risk of high-speed aquaplaning.