The National Times - 'Not safe' as Brazilian GP qualifying postponed due to heavy rain

The session was expected to be delayed until Sunday morning, in the hope that the weather improved, but forecasts have suggested that may not be a foregone conclusion.

As night began to fall, drivers waved to fans on the pit-wall –- giving the big crowd who had waited for more than two hours in the rain -– some reward for their patience.

Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed the postponement at 1950 GMT and praised the fans inside the circuit for their patience and support.

"First of all, the fans here are incredible," he told F1TV.

"But unfortunately, we cannot control the weather and it is just not safe to drive. It's as simple as that and problems too with the light make it worse so that's it.

"The plan now is to run in the morning and the final check will be made with a plan and details for the day."

He added: "I have to say the fans here are unique and we thank them for waiting so long, but it is impossible to race today."

The Safety Car was deployed to evaluate the conditions several times with marshals using brooms to clear deep pools of water around the circuit and in the paddock and pit lane.

After several inspections, it was announced that the organisers hoped to begin the session at 1615 local (1915 GMT), but that proved to be impossible.

Many of the fans were Argentine supporters of Franco Colapinto of Williams who has made an impressive start to his F1 career this year as a mid-season deputy for American Logan Sargeant.

Mercedes driver George Russell said that it "looks very wet out there but maybe some places are ok – other places there are big puddles."

His team-mate seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton joked that he wanted improved wet weather tyres so that he could go out in the rain, a suggestion laughed off by Domenicali.

"Lewis wants to race," he said. "But it is too dark for that."

The expectation among paddock observers was that qualifying would begin at 0900 local time (1200 GMT) on Sunday when defending world champion and series leader Max Verstappen will start the race with a five-place grid penalty for taking a new engine, his sixth of the season.

Verstappen was penalised earlier Saturday for an infringement of the Virtual Safety Car rules which cost him seconds and dropped him from third to fourth in the sprint race behind the triumphant McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri with Charles Leclerc promoted to third for Ferrari.

This result permitted Norris to trim the Dutchman's lead in the title race by three points to 44 with four Grands Prix and one sprint race remaining this year.

E.Reid--TNT