The FIA has announced drastic changes to Sunday’s timetable for the Brazilian Grand Prix after postponing today’s qualifying session due to heavy rain.
With more rain expected to fall at the Interlagos circuit the FIA has taken the rare step of moving the start time for the grand prix 90 minutes earlier. The race will begin at 12:30pm local time instead of its originally scheduled 2:00pm start.Qualifying, originally scheduled for 3pm today, will now be held at 7:30am. Assuming the session concludes on time, teams will therefore have a four-hour period between the end of qualifying and the start of the grand prix.
The FIA has made sweeping changes to the race weekend schedule as forecasts indicate a strong chance of more rain and thunderstorms throughout Sunday in Sao Paulo. The earlier starting times for both sessions should maximise the chance for running to go ahead.
F1 and the FIA issued a joint statement saying “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 7:30 local time on Sunday morning ahead of the Grand Prix at 12:30 local. This will ensure we maximise the chances of providing the fans with a day of racing action, given the ongoing weather forecast for tomorrow afternoon, and both the FIA and Formula 1 believe this time change is necessary and the right thing to do for all our passionate fans.
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“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.”
F1’s governing body faced strong criticism three years ago when no racing laps were completed in the Belgian Grand Prix when sustained rain fell throughout Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps.
Other track activities have been rescheduled or cancelled in order for the F1 sessions to go ahead. The second races for the Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil and Porsche Sprint Challenge Brazil will not take place. The Brazilian Formula 4 race originally scheduled for 11:05am has been moved forwards by two hours.
Lewis Hamilton’s demonstration run in a McLaren raced by Ayrton Senna will take place at 10am.
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Tommy C (@tommy-c)
2nd November 2024, 22:01
Oh good, at least they’re doing something to try to avoid a repeat of Spa 2021. With no race next weekend I wonder if postponing to Monday is an option this time around if Sunday is unraceable.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
2nd November 2024, 23:08
@tommy-c No. If it doesn’t happen on Sunday, it can’t happen at all.
Moving the race earlier is itself questionable in the context of the regulations, particularly if the weather is bad when the new start time is taken (because what is inarguable from a legal standpoint is that such a movement moves the three-hour window with it) or if qualifying cannot occur on schedule for any reason.
Jonathan Parkin
3rd November 2024, 5:45
I don’t see why they can’t race on Monday.
Jere (@jerejj)
3rd November 2024, 6:32
Jonathan Parkin Simply too many complications, especially personnel stay times.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
3rd November 2024, 9:37
In most countries, the Marshall’s are all volunteers who have normal jobs to go to during the week.
Might well be the same in Brazil.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd November 2024, 22:05
Extremely unusual to see a grand prix start time moved earlier in the day, but absolutely the right decision given the weather forecast. Hopefully it pays off.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
3rd November 2024, 1:49
For once F1 has paid attention to Indy Car, and their willingness to change the schedule at last minute to maximise the chances of the race being completed. Good to see, after all these years!
BLS (@brightlampshade)
2nd November 2024, 22:09
I imagine there will be a few people caught out by this tomorrow, turning on in time to see the race ending!
Sounds like a good and proactive idea though.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
2nd November 2024, 22:13
Reminds me of when Top Gear would start an hour earlier and they’d go “if you just joined us believing the show started at 8, hello! If you’ve been watching all the way long tonight, goodbye”
Doh
2nd November 2024, 23:14
Judging by the forecast the race might start at the originally scheduled time or at least the race might not be completed by the time the get to the original start time. Heavy rain is expected for tomorrow afternoon so it’s a good move to bring it forward, it gives a bit more room to get the race, or at least some racing, done
Jere (@jerejj)
3rd November 2024, 6:30
@brightlampshade People should be able to check the schedule beforehand to become aware, though.
Patrick (@paeschli)
3rd November 2024, 7:34
That is if they start on time.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
2nd November 2024, 22:12
I cannot believe it.
They actually did it!
They actually realized they can indeed do something about the weather!
Lyndamarks
2nd November 2024, 23:13
I imagine that many broadcasters will now not be able to show the GP live given how unlike Sky for instance most aren’t showing F1 on dedicated channels.
If memory serves the main reason for the 4 hour window introduced after Canada 2011 was because of broadcasters wanting to have a known timeslot to schedule around rather than just delaying for an unknown amount of time.
Doh
2nd November 2024, 23:16
Possibly but I’d assume broadcasters have an assortment of channels and stream options to choose from.. many boradcasters have multiple channels and streaming wasn’t as Popular back then so there’s plenty ways to make it work. Even back then the BBC had the red button option essentially a channel within a channel to keep watching.
Patrick (@paeschli)
3rd November 2024, 7:37
Yeah nowadays many channels have online viewing options. Here in Belgium it often happens that the broadcast switches from their n°1 channel to their n°2 or n°3 channel. It happened once they did not have any channels available so they just plugged their website where you could keep watching the stream.
MarkWebber (@markwebber)
2nd November 2024, 23:26
The request seems quite inconsistent considering that most broadcasters also air Wimbledon
I luv chicken
3rd November 2024, 1:36
There’s an F1 race at Wimbledon?
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
3rd November 2024, 2:50
I’m not surprised you didn’t know. It’s usually overshadowed by the Interlagos Open.
On a side note, is it not the “São Paulo Grand Prix” that has been postponed?
Jere (@jerejj)
3rd November 2024, 6:29
@markwebber Wimbledon Tournament is a July thing.
Eisenhorn
3rd November 2024, 1:11
So, they shouldn’t be doing this just because it might inconvenience people who want to watch both?
I’m amazed that even when the FIA uses common sense to try to ensure we actually get in competition so many people are complaining. “The legality is questionable.” [it’s not] “Some might not realize it’s been rescheduled.” “What about other programs?!” It’s true. You really can’t win.
Jere (@jerejj)
3rd November 2024, 6:29
Bringing the race start time forward is a good move, & something that should’ve already been done with the 2014 Japanese & 2021 Belgian GPs, but better late than never.
chimaera2003 (@chimaera2003)
3rd November 2024, 9:29
Whilst I can see the logic in this individual, specific decision, I do wonder if this will set an unfortunate precedent that will be exploited for more nefarious purposes down the line.
If this precedent does get used to get more events moved, it is the fans at the circuit that are the ones to lose out as they may not be able to reorganise their logistics at such short notice. Maybe I’m overthinking but I would be wary in splashing what is now serious cash knowing the promoter/authority can move the timings.