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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The session will resume at 8:54 local time, and the rush immediately takes place to queue at the end of the pitlane. Oddly, Ferrari have kept Leclerc in the garage.
Alonso's Aston Martin has been cleared but the barrier repairs are ongoing.
No time has been indicated for a restart, but there are some engines running in the garages.
The FIA has indicated "A few minutes will be required to repair the barriers again."
On power, Alonso's Aston Martin snapped without warning and he went sideways into the barriers, rear first. That will almost certainly be a gearbox and engine change at the very least!
Alonso went off at Mergulho - a high speed corner even in these conditions - and there is more rain falling now with greater intensity. This could be the order.
That's two huge repair jobs for Aston Martin before the grand prix in just a few hours! Lunch is certainly cancelled in that garage!
But there's another red flag, for Alonso this time!
A 1m24.158s for Norris puts him top from Albon!
But these times won't matter, with purple sectors lighting up the screens right now!
Russell, who looked to be struggling badly has gone second.
But Tsunoda splits the pair in second, before Leclerc relegates him to third.
Norris has certainly unlocked something, putting in a 1m25.631s to go to the top from Piastri.
A huge stat, this is the first time that neither Hamilton nor Verstappen has featured in Q3 in a weekend in which they have both competed. What a run that was!
Intermediate tyres are again in evidence on all 10 cars as Ocon begins his first flying lap.
Verstappen is clearly furious at the 40s it took for the red flags to be shown.
"It's stupid, it's ridiculous," he says to Sky Sports, as he vents his anger.
"I think if it keeps raining like this, we should just stay out." Piastri offers his thoughts on the session, as Norris is advised that the first laps will be the most important.
Q3 is go!
“Bottas’s 11th place is his best qualifying result since he was 10th in China about a lifetime ago.”
The queue is forming at the end of the pitlane. Ocon is first in the queue from Albon and the two McLaren drivers. The early laps really could be the best!
And guess what? The rain is falling again!
Q3 will start at 8:37 GMT local time.
Stroll's incident was a mirror of Colapinto's, but he did far more damage to the rear of the car.
Q2 will not be resumed!
Verstappen was 12th and Perez 13th when the red flag was shown after Stroll crashed!
Both Red Bulls are out!
Red flag!
Verstappen is now in the bottom five and is down on his latest effort!
But Norris now goes top with a 1m24.844s.
Ocon goes third, Stroll fifth, and Norris is suddenly down to sixth. Seventh, as Leclerc also improves.
Alonso hits the top with a 1m25.035s! Where has this pace come from?
But how will Norris stack up as the rest bank their efforts?
A 1m26.406s pushes him to third, behind only Piastri and Russell.
Norris is flying on this lap, improving by far more than any other driver.
Norris is not wasting any time and is pumping the heat into the tyres. This next five minutes could be make or break for his championship push.
Q2 resumes with 5m30s remaining on the clock.
Norris is the first driver in the queue. Light drops of rain are being reported with the rain expected to pick up in "around four minutes", as per McLaren.
And guess what...it's raining again!
Qualifying will resume at 8:20 local time. Norris again heads out to get a prime position in the queue with fresh intermediates.
By: Sam Hall
