Overview
- Rain and an intense electrical storm developed after final practice and forced brief suspensions of the support Porsche Cup before officials halted activity because of heavy spray and unsafe conditions.
- The FIA ordered the pit boxes closed for safety, leaving Saturday’s qualifying session in jeopardy as race control assesses whether to delay or postpone the session.
- Stewards have already confirmed grid penalties that will apply regardless of how qualifying proceeds, including Max Verstappen starting last and Charles Leclerc taking a 10-place drop.
- If qualifying is cancelled the starting order will be drawn from current championship standings with penalties applied, which would provisionally place Franco Colapinto 12th and Pierre Gasly 10th.
- Weather forecasts predict rain through the night and organizers are weighing the 2024 São Paulo precedent of moving sessions to Sunday, a decision that would alter team strategies and the race-day schedule.