Max Verstappen could start Brazilian Grand Prix 20th due to Interlagos concerns

The Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying has been delayed until Sunday morning due to adverse weather conditions, but further rainfall could potentially disrupt the plan.

Saturday afternoon saw thunderstorms strike the Sao Paulo track. Despite a two-hour wait in hopes of the rain passing, race control ultimately concluded that the conditions would not improve sufficiently for qualifying to take place.

Consequently, the session has been rescheduled for race day morning, although additional rainfall could jeopardise their chances of holding the session at all. This could spell disaster for Max Verstappen.

The rules are ambiguous regarding how the grid would be determined for the race if qualifying cannot proceed. However, it's possible that the results from the most recent practice session could be used to establish the starting order.

Given the sprint format is being utilised, only one practice session was held prior to sprint qualifying on Friday. Lando Norris would undoubtedly welcome this classification as he topped the timesheets in his McLaren during that session.

The British driver's grin would broaden even further upon realising that title contender Verstappen finished 15th in that practice session.

Moreover, with the Dutchman facing a five-second grid penalty, he is likely to start at the very back if the FP1 result is used to determine the grid.

However, there is currently no indication that this would be the FIA's chosen solution if qualifying is rained off on Sunday. Red Bull would be expected to battle fiercely to prevent such a scenario.

Sergio Perez's best lap during the practice hour was second slowest of all, which would push him up to 18th on the grid with Verstappen at 20th, both facing a significant challenge to reach the points-earning positions.

This could be a major twist in the championship race.

Norris trails Verstappen by 44 points after gaining three on the Red Bull driver by winning the Sprint race earlier on Saturday in dry conditions, while the Dutchman was demoted to fourth due to a five-second penalty for violating Virtual Safety Car regulations.

If the FP1 ranking is applied, it would also spell trouble for Lewis Hamilton who would start 15th.

However, the other British drivers would be more pleased, with George Russell in second place and Haas substitute Oliver Bearman completing the top three, while London-born Thai Alex Albon would be fifth behind Australia's Oscar Piastri.

They would be followed by the two Ferrari racers and Nico Hulkenberg in the other Haas car, with Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly completing the top 10.

It wouldn't do much for Zhou Guanyu, however, who was 20th in practice and the Sauber driver would only move up one spot due to Verstappen's penalty.