Max Verstappen could start 20th at Brazilian Grand Prix due to Interlagos concerns | F1

Qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix was delayed until Sunday morning due to adverse weather conditions, but further rain could potentially disrupt the plan.

A thunderstorm hit the São Paulo circuit on Saturday afternoon. Despite waiting for two hours in the hope that the rain would pass, race officials ultimately concluded that conditions would not improve enough to allow qualifying to take place.

Consequently, the session was rescheduled for the morning of the competition, although additional rainfall could jeopardize their chances of holding the session at all. This could spell disaster for Max Verstappen.

The rules are ambiguous as to how the grid for the race will be determined if qualifying cannot proceed. However, it is possible that the results of the last training session could be used to establish the starting order.

Given the sprint format, only one practice session was held before sprint qualifying on Friday. Lando Norris would no doubt have welcomed this classification since he headed the timesheets in his McLaren during this session.

The British driver’s smile widened as he realized title contender Verstappen had finished 15th in practice.

Moreover, since the Dutchman faces a five-second grid penalty, he will likely start from the very back if the FP1 result is used to determine the grid.

However, there is currently no indication that the FIA will take such a decision if qualifying stops on Sunday. Red Bull they are expected to fight fiercely to prevent such a scenario.

Sergio PerezHis fastest lap in the practice hour was the second slowest, which moved him up to 18th on the grid, with Verstappen in 20th, with both facing a major challenge to reach points-earning positions.

This could be a decisive turn in the championship race.

Norris is 44 points behind Verstappen after scoring three Red Bull driver who won the sprint race earlier on Saturday in dry conditions, while the Dutchman was demoted to fourth due to a five-second penalty for breaking Virtual Safety Car rules.

If the FP1 rating is applied, this will also create problems for Lewis Hamilton who starts 15th.

However, other British drivers would be happier if George Russell in second place, with Haas replacing Oliver Birman to round out the top three, while London-born Thai Alex Albon will be fifth behind Australian Oscar Piastri.

Two will follow Ferrari racers and Nico Hulkenberg in another Haas car, with Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly We complete the top 10.

It won’t do much Zhou GuanyuHowever, who was 20th in practice, the Sauber driver only moved up one position due to Verstappen’s penalty.