Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying rain forecast Interlagos, Digi Mart USA News (Interlagos, São Paulo): A simple overhead view shows what could define Saturday’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. A large mass of water is moving quickly toward the São Paulo track from behind the main straight of the José Carlos Pace Autodrome.
There was only a light drizzle at the end of Friday’s practice sessions, but rain is expected to arrive for qualifying, scheduled for 19:00 local time on DAZN. The leading group of contenders is separated by just a tenth of a second, and several drivers face grid penalties that will affect their starting positions.
Max Verstappen topped the final practice session with a time of 1:11.622, but he will start at the back of the grid alongside Sergio Pérez’s Cadillac after fitting an almost new power unit. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc face 10-place penalties, and George Russell faces a five-place penalty.
That leaves Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was fastest on Friday and second in the third practice session, and Lando Norris as the main favorites. Fernando Alonso (18th) and Carlos Sainz (19th) finished the third practice session separated by only a few hundredths of a second.
Both drivers are hoping rain will shake up the order, since on a dry track their cars would likely be eliminated in Q1, continuing a difficult 2026 season.
Alonso’s focus will be on reducing the power unit deficit that hurts his car’s performance at the start and end of the lap. Sainz has continued to improve his lap times and is now clearly within two seconds of the leaders, but his best hope is to avoid elimination in Q1 on a dry track, given the difficulties his Williams has in the corners.
Hamilton, meanwhile, had a difficult start to Saturday after smoke appeared from his car, prompting Ferrari to examine it. He also struggled to adapt to engine braking, which is especially important under the current regulations.
The source notes that Antonelli and Norris are favorites if Verstappen’s penalty is taken into account, with each dominating different sectors of the lap. Piastri, Leclerc and Russell could also contend for pole position if conditions allow.
The source describes the track surface as likely to be slippery if rain arrives, adding further uncertainty to the qualifying outcome.
