Brazilian Grand Prix – Heavy rain expected this weekend in São Paulo

Thunderstorms are forecasted on the Interlagos circuit this weekend for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The weather conditions are unfavorable, especially on Friday and Saturday. As the sprint format is being used this weekend, qualifying will take place on Friday afternoon, and the track is expected to be wet by that time.

According to the forecasts from Weather Forecast and La Chaine Météo, we can expect precipitation in São Paulo starting from Friday afternoon, just before the qualifications. Heavy rains are also expected on Saturday, with a major thunderstorm in the middle of the day, just before or during the sprint race, and very hot temperatures, with a heat index of 34°C.

Sunday, the forecasts are less pessimistic. Although the track is expected to still be damp from the previous day, there should be no rain during the Grand Prix. Showers are expected towards the end of the day, potentially during the podium ceremony.

The last Brazilian Grand Prix had not been disrupted by the weather. However, the Interlagos circuit is known for its unstable weather and very challenging track conditions on wet ground, with fantastic comebacks and spectacular accidents.

If during the race, especially during the sprint, the drivers don’t need to change tires, it could be a whole different story this Saturday if rain comes into play or if the track dries up.

Rain and Interlagos, tales of madness

The Brazil Grand Prix in 2003 was notably marked by very serious accidents. Under a wet track, Mark Webber, who was then with Jaguar, lost control of his car, hitting the wall on the straight at Interlagos and scattering debris everywhere. Alonso, who was not warned about the debris on the radio, then collided with a tire, losing control of his Renault and hitting the tire wall head-on, violently ending his crash by spinning on the other side of the track into the concrete wall.

In 2008, as the Brazilian Grand Prix is the final event of the championship, the driver’s title is being contested by Hamilton and Massa – under rainy circumstances. If Massa finishes first and Hamilton doesn’t finish within the top 5, the Brazilian driver will win the crown on home soil. Massa manages to finish first while Hamilton, caught in traffic, struggles to make progress under rainy conditions. However, Timo Glock, ahead of Hamilton, panics with his worn tires in the last corners and loses a lot of time. Hamilton thus manages to overtake Glock in the final corners and claims the 5th position, which guarantees him the championship title for McLaren driver.

Ferrari goes from absolute joy to distress. Massa’s tears in front of his fans add to an already dampened atmosphere due to the rain. The event remains one of the best in Formula 1 championships to this day, undoubtedly like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021.