MAX VERSTAPPEN beat the “insane” rain to grab pole place for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix – simply earlier than the heavens opened.
The Pink Bull man set the quickest time earlier than the rain clouds and lightning engulfed the Interlagos circuit and the session was stopped early.
Brazil’s F1 qualifying session was deserted early resulting from freak rainCredit score: AP
Quite a lot of drivers had been caught out by the sudden changeCredit score: Getty
Max Verstappen took pole with Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll in second and thirdCredit score: Splash
It was Max Verstappen’s eleventh pole of the season whereas Charles Leclerc will begin Sunday’s race in second place.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso locked out the second row whereas it was an all-Mercedes third row with Lewis Hamilton lining up fifth and George Russell sixth.
Hamilton mentioned: “It’s fifth and fifth isn’t that nice. I did the most effective I might and hopefully we can have a greater race.
“The automobile was displaying indicators of respectable efficiency however usually we’re a few tenths off the highest guys.
“However the circumstances on the finish have us a bit of bit additional again on the grid, however it’s tough to say.”
Russell added: “It was completely loopy. I’ve by no means seen a change in climate as drastic as that.
“The goal remains to be the rostrum. Aston Martin appear to have discovered their kind however I hope our race tempo is healthier than theirs.
“It is going to be a tough combat with Max, however I anticipate it to be a two of three-stop race, so it’s all to play for.”
Verstappen, who’s once more the favorite, mentioned: “We didn’t know when the rain would hit in qualifying, we thought it might hit however that is insane climate.
“It was all fairly hectic within the final lap. Evidently it’s all very shut. Final 12 months we didn’t get that proper however I feel we’re a bit higher this 12 months.”
Ferrari’s Leclerc, who had been on pole within the earlier two races, added: “In my entire profession I’ve by no means skilled one thing like that.
“From Flip 4 onwards there was no rain. However the automobile was extraordinarily tough to drive, no grip.
“I used to be enthusiastic about coming in on the finish of the lap however I completed it and it was P2. So a very good shock. A really bizarre one for everybody on the monitor.”
The outcome was exhausting on McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who had regarded fast sufficient to combat for pole place.
However they had been caught out by the rain and didn’t get out on monitor with sufficient dry operating to set a lap time.
Norris mentioned: “The automobile was superb. Simply fast sufficient to be quickest and on pole. So I’m fairly gutted for that to finish the best way we did.
“Clearly delivering the lap and placing it collectively in Q3 and every thing is a unique job, however simply fast sufficient.
“So one other disappointing Saturday, however not rather a lot we might have completed.”
McLaren had regarded fast sufficient for pole however had been caught out by the climateCredit score: Getty
Lewis Hamilton might solely muster a P5 outcomeCredit score: Alamy
