VIDEO: Armageddon in Brazil! Qualifying failed due to extreme weather

Friday’s qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix had to be interrupted in the final session due to an approaching storm. It subsequently caused an armageddon at the Interlagos circuit. The roofs of the grandstands were flying through the air and the wind was reaching speeds of over 27 m/s.

According to the forecast, it was clear that the drivers and teams would have to deal with rainy conditions on Friday. It was practically a waiting game to see when the cloudburst would come. The first part of the qualifying session went off in ideal conditions.

But in the second qualifying segment, the track temperature started to cool down and the first drops of rain fell on the circuit. But in the third part of qualifying, it was armageddon. The drivers had to get out on track as early as possible in order to get at least one fast lap in.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was the most successful, starting Sunday’s race from first place. He was followed by Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll surprisingly setting the third fastest time.

McLaren, on the other hand, missed qualifying for the second year in a row. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri simply waited too long and their times were only good enough for sixth and tenth place.

Race management then decided to abandon qualifying as a precaution. And it was definitely the right decision. You can see the complete starting grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix below.

Extreme storm over the circuit

The storm that subsequently arrived over the circuit was extreme. A video from fans in attendance shows how the wind, which reportedly reached speeds of up to 27 m/s in places, ripped the roof off the grandstand, under which hundreds of spectators were at the time.

Yes, the forecast did call for precipitation, whereupon a rainy Friday was already expected later in the week. However, nobody expected such a thing, but you can judge for yourself.

The material damage will be extensive, but according to the information available, everyone present should be fine.

The race weekend will continue with Saturday’s sprint program, which according to the current forecast should take place in calm weather with minimal chance of rain. The same should be true for the main race on Sunday.

Source: F1, Twitter / X