QUALIFYING HALTED BY HEAVY RAIN AT INTERLAGOS

Qualifying at Interlagos lasted all of two-and-a-half minutes before race control threw the red flag. A band of heavy rain hit just as the field rolled out, sending everyone scrambling back to the pits before they could set a time. Only eight drivers ventured out on intermediates — both Mercedes, both Alpines, plus Leclerc, Hadjar, Alonso, and Bottas. The rest either circulated on full wets or stayed in the garage.

The FIA ran the Medical Car and Safety Car around for nearly 90 minutes while rain pulsed over the circuit, finally restarting Q1 at 4:26pm local time. When the session resumed, conditions stayed treacherous — drivers later flagged the wet-weather Pirellis as inadequate, and the paddock buzzed about crash risk. Lando Norris ultimately claimed pole, but the rain-lashed session set the tone for what's shaping up to be a chaotic race Sunday in São Paulo.