Rain eases for Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying, but more expected for race

The paddock astatine Interlagos smelled of scrambled eggs and java early Sunday morning, minutes up of nan commencement of qualifying for nan Brazilian Grand Prix later successful nan afternoon

SAO PAULO -- The paddock astatine Interlagos smelled of scrambled eggs and java early Sunday morning, minutes up of nan commencement of qualifying for nan Brazilian Grand Prix later successful nan afternoon.

Rain eased capable successful Sao Paulo truthful nan convention could return place, but forecasts for nan Formula One title propose nan way will beryllium bedewed erstwhile Red Bull's Max Verstappen and McLaren's Lando Norris resume their conflict for nan drivers' championship.

Qualifying started successful debased grip conditions astatine 7:30 a.m. section clip (1030 GMT), and nan commencement of nan Grand Prix was brought guardant from 2 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. (1530 GMT). All drivers group disconnected connected bedewed tires.

Many drivers arrived astatine Interlagos astir 6 a.m. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. took nan clip to service java for squad staffers arsenic they prepared for qualifying.

Organizers said qualifying connected Sunday had only happened 5 times successful F1 history and a German driver has secured rod position connected each occasion. The astir caller was astatine nan 2019 Japanese Grand Prix, pinch four-time champion Sebastian Vettel starting from nan front.

The FIA announced qualifying had been postponed Saturday aft a two-hour delay, pinch nary cars having nan chance to timepiece immoderate laps. It said successful a connection that nan determination was taken owed to nan deficiency of visibility caused by nan level of rain, "with a batch of opinionated h2o connected parts of nan circuit which renders conditions unsafe."

Many of nan much than 60,000 fans that came to Interlagos connected Saturday did not look for qualifying Sunday morning.

The spread betwixt Norris and Verstappen, pinch 4 grands prix and a last sprint title to nan extremity of nan season, is now 44 points. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc besides has a agelong changeable astatine nan title.

Organizers are yet to determine whether nan tribute to legendary three-time champion Ayrton Senna will return spot connected Sunday. The precocious Brazilian's title-winning McLaren is scheduled to beryllium driven by 1 of his biggest fans, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

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