F1 Brazilian GP Live Commentary and Updates - Qualifying
Minute-by-minute updates of qualifying for the 2024 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix
McLaren team orders saw Lando Norris lead team-mate Oscar Piastri home for a one-two in the Brazilian sprint race earlier on Saturday.
Max Verstappen was third after besting Charles Leclerc in a lengthy battle, but dropped back to fourth following a post-race penalty for a virtual safety car infringement.
Rain arrived in time for what was supposed to be qualifying but to such an extent that the session was delayed, so we have qualifying and the race on the same day - the latter pulled forward to avoid further forecasted inclement weather.
The delayed qualifying session gets under way at 10:30am GMT, 07:30am local time.
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And finally, after a marathon qualifying, it's time to take a break before the grand prix in a couple of hours.
Here is the full session report and I'll be back once again 14:30 GMT for coverage of what promises to be a thrilling grand prix. Until then, goodbye!
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Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
The early noises from Williams are that it is unlikely that Albon will make the race. Given the level of damage, that's hardly a surprise.
Asked if he understands the delay in throwing a red flag as other drivers were all clear of the accident, Horner says, "It doesn't work like that. Lance Stroll wasn't trying to get that car going again. It was screwed."
"It's hugely frustrating. We don't understand why it took so long for the red flag to come out," says Horner.
"It's the second day in a row now that we've had very late calls. The other red flags were all instantaneous."
"This track is one of the trickiest tracks. Once you get confidence and start to over-push a bit, you have big consequences like we saw today," says Tsunoda. More than a few drivers found that out in the past two hours.
"There was a lot going on today," smiles Norris. "I was not comfortable at all," he concedes given the difficulty of the conditions.
We suggested earlier on when Verstappen could lay one hand on the championship trophy after dominating the early stages. But after dropping out in Q2 with the red flag, this could be a day to remember for Norris now!
Piastri is eighth, Alonso ninth and Stroll 10th in the provisional placings. Are there any questions?
Your grid will be Norris on pole, Russell, Tsunoda, Ocon, Lawson, Leclerc in the top six places.
Albon is seventh but if he makes the grid, is almost certain to have a pitlane start with engine and gearbox changes - at least - extremely likely.
The chequered flag is waved and we cry mercy! What a session that was. Worth the wait? We think so!
There's no need, but Norris goes faster still with a 1m23.405 to take pole by 0.173s.
But then Russell puts in a final effort to go second.
Ocon splits the pair and Piastri is demoted to sixth.
Tsunoda second, Lawson third!
Piastri locks up at the start of his final effort and that's his session done. The resulting yellow ruins Leclerc's next lap.
A new session best for Norris with a 1m24.092s!
A huge lockup for Ocon into Turn 1 and that is his lap down the pan. He'll get another go at it though!
The two RBs and Russell have left the pits far later than anyone else. They will have just one lap.
Ocon leads out the remaining seven drivers.
Can we make it through 3m31s without a red flag? Let's find out!
"Class 1 rain" is expected to start as the session resumes and continue throughout, McLaren informs Norris.
Qualifying will resume at 9:08 local time, and there's the rush to get into the queue.
3m31s remaining if and when the session resumes.
Five red flags in qualifying, equalling Imola 2022 with the record for this format.
That was a bizarre one, as Albon lost the rear of his Williams as he hit the brakes for Turn 1. Possibly, he touched the white paint, but the contact with the wall has utterly destroyed his rear suspension, the gearbox and quite likely, the engine.
Add to the list the front-left corner, and it's almost a complete rebuild.
Albon is trying to take his glove off and it looks like he might have injured his left wrist. He reports he is ok.
At Turn 1, Albon has smashed three corners of his Williams and it would be a miracle if that car is ready for the race.
Albon is off and it's big, big contact with the walls.
Red flag yet again!
There are a sprinkling of green and purple micro sectors, but these won't be the big times.
Piastri now spins at Turn 3 but avoids the walls.
A big slide for Russell at the Senna S. This won't be an optimum effort for him. To compound things, he goes wide at Turn 4.
There is no rain falling at present, so there could yet be some excitement to come. We wouldn't want to call this one!
Russell leads the field out with Norris creeping through the pit exit to gain track position with some visibility.
Here we go. One final push to complete Q3.
Colapinto has stolen the attention at Williams lately, but it is Albon who currently sits in second.
There will be 6m59s remaining in Q3 when the session resumes.
By: Sam Hall
