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Saturday’s qualifying for the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paolo was wiped out due to torrential rains, and now the series finds itself in a precarious position.
After heavy rains delayed the start of the session, which was set to begin at 3 p.m. local time, qualifying was eventually postponed altogether and pushed to Sunday. But Sunday’s weather forecast doesn’t look much better, which leaves Formula 1 in a difficult situation.
Running out of time to get qualifying in today, and if it’s postponed the first aim will be to run the session tomorrow morning
If that’s not possible, it’s up the stewards how the grid is ordered. No provision in the current sporting regulations for this scenario #F1 #BrazilGP
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) November 2, 2024
Freelance F1 reporter Chris Medland revealed that the series does not have a provision in its current regulations for how to set the grid in case of a rain out.
Now, normally this is because the idea of a total rainout is extremely unlikely. Formula 1 cars are able to run in wet weather with specially equipped tires.
But the rain in Sao Paolo, as is common this time of year, was so heavy that it would have been unsafe to do so. In NASCAR, the start order in the event of a qualifying rain out is determined the current point standaings.
But F1 has no such rule.
Formula 1 Facing Difficult Situation Due To Lack Of Rain Rule For Qualifying
This would be a massive problem in any situation. But it’s even more true with points leader Max Verstappen leading second-placed Lando Norris by just 44 points with four races remaining. Every position is critical and Verstappen already faces a five-place grid penalty after changing the engine in his car prior to the start of the weekend.
The series faced a similar situation at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2019. In that instance, they were able to run qualifying on Sunday. But if they could not, the series stated it would set the start order for the race by using times from the second practice session.
However, there’s a major problem with that.
Formula 1 did not run a second practice session this week. Brazil is one of six events on the F1 calendar that including a Sprint Race on Saturday.
The Sprint Race takes the place of both the second and third practice sessions. Norris won the sprint, followed by teammate Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen.
But Verstappen was later relegated to fourth place behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc due to a penalty.
Either way, Formula 1 will be hoping beyond hope that it can run qualifying on Sunday. If not, there’s going to be one heck of a fight to determine the starting order for Sunday’s race.