Up Next
Formula 1's Brazilian Grand Prix start time has been brought forward as part of a revised Sunday schedule that also includes a rescheduled qualifying.
Attempts to stage qualifying on Saturday came to nought as persistent rain at Interlagos rendered the session a washout.
Race control pushed back the start of Q1 a number of times over a two-hour period to attempt to start qualifying, but the decision was finally taken at 4.45pm local time to postpone qualifying due to "poor visibility, standing water on the track and fading light".
No time was initially designated but in a joint statement F1 and the FIA have announced this will take place at 7.30am local time (10.30am UK), with the race brought forward by 90 minutes to a 12.30pm local time (3.30pm UK time) start.
Poor weather is expected once again in the area on Sunday so the decision to bring the start time allows more time for the Brazilian GP to take place.
"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," read the statement, outlining the decision to postpone qualifying.
"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 7.30am local time on Sunday morning ahead of the grand prix at 12.30pm local.
"This will ensure we maximise the chances or providing the fans with a day of racing action and both the FIA and Formula 1 believe this time change is necessary and the right thing to do for all our passionate fans.
"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."
Three support races - the Porsche Sprint Challenge Brazil, Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil, and F4 Brazilian Championship - were also scheduled for Sunday.
If the poor conditions continue and make it impossible to stage qualifying, the grid will be set using the results of a previous classification from this weekend.
Which session is used will be at the stewards' discretion. There is no provision in the sporting regulations for the current situation.
The only references to using specific sessions to award driver classifications relates to certain scenarios if a qualifying session has taken place and drivers being unclassified because they exceeded 107% of the fastest time in Q1, failed to set a time, all their laps were deleted, or they were disqualified.
That is not relevant to a weather-postponed qualifying session and as there are more relevant competitive sessions available - qualifying for the sprint or the results of the sprint itself - these are more likely to be used.
