Treacherous wet conditions led to chaos and several crashes during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Heavy rain in Sao Paulo saw Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto all crash.
Each of the three phases of qualifying were interrupted by at least one crash. This resulted in five red flags – which are used to stop a practice session, qualifying session or race due to a serious accident or extreme weather.
The flags infuriated drivers who were forced to reduce their speeds and proceed back to the pit lane – impacting their standings.
The session at the Interlagos race track had already been postponed until Sunday after rain and lightning made conditions unsafe on Saturday.
Williams driver Franco Colapinto’s car is lifted after a crash. Pic: AP
Sunday’s delayed qualifying finished with McLaren’s Lando Norris on pole position – with title rival Max Verstappen in 17th place after he failed to make it to the third phase of qualifying.
Red Bull’s triple world champion had been on course to improve his time in the wet conditions but Stroll’s crash resulted in the third of five red flags – and the second phase of qualifying was halted with 46 seconds remaining.
“The car hits the wall, and it needs to be a straight red,” Verstappen said.
“I don’t understand why it needs to take 30 to 40 seconds for a red flag to come out. It’s just bullshit. It’s so stupid anyway to talk about. It’s ridiculous.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during qualifying. Pic: Reuters
It left a furious Verstappen in 12th place after qualifying ended – and with the Dutchman serving a five-place engine penalty, it left him way down the order for the start of the 71-lap race today.
It handed the advantage to Norris, who trails his Red Bull rival by 44 points with 132 still available across the remaining four rounds.
British driver Lando Norris celebrates after qualifying in pole position. Pic: Reuters
The 24-year-old British driver held his nerve in the treacherous conditions to put his McLaren at the front of the grid for the race which was brought forward by 90 minutes.
“There was a lot going on but I am super super happy,” said Norris after taking his eighth career pole.
“I was not comfortable at the beginning of qualifying so I am delighted to be on pole but a little surprised.
“You saw how many people went off and crashed so it was easy to end up badly, in the wall, or not even make the race.”
George Russell took second for Mercedes, 0.173 seconds behind Norris to form an all-British front row.
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Colapinto was the first to crash after skidding into the barriers at the third corner. The Argentine emerged unscathed but he was unable to continue in qualifying.
A second delay came after Sainz, who won in Mexico City a week ago, also ended up in the wall after he lost control of his Ferrari.
Stroll’s crash led to a third suspension.
Alonso was the fourth driver to hit the wall when he spun out, before Albon’s late smash at the opening corner.
Alonso after crashing out during qualifying. Pic: Reuters
Lewis Hamilton is considered one of the sport’s best ever wet-weather drivers, but the seven-time world champion suffered a humiliating first sector exit.
The 39-year-old, who is in his final season with Mercedes before he heads to Ferrari, called his machine “undriveable”, and was due to start the race in 15th on the grid.
