The FIA has released an uncommon and urgent warning to Formula 1 teams and drivers ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo, following a series of emergency weather updates that have raised concern across the paddock. The race weekend, hosted at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, will feature the sprint format, with qualifying for the sprint on Friday, the sprint race on Saturday, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday. However, the looming threat of severe weather has now cast a shadow over the event’s schedule.
Meteorological forecasts predict torrential rainfall by late Saturday, extending into Sunday’s Grand Prix, potentially turning the weekend into a wet-weather endurance test. The São Paulo government has already issued an emergency storm alert, warning of an extratropical cyclone forming off Brazil’s southeastern coast. Wind speeds could reach up to 115 km/h, accompanied by lightning and flooding. In response, local authorities have activated a crisis management team and placed the Civil Defense System on standby, despite current indications that the storm’s core trajectory will bypass the Interlagos circuit.
Nevertheless, the FIA has not taken the risk lightly. According to RacingNews365, officials have raised the rain alert to “Level 4,” the maximum classification within their internal weather monitoring framework—an exceedingly rare measure in modern Formula 1. Forecasts indicate that the circuit could experience heavy rainfall approximately two hours before Saturday’s sprint event, tapering to Level 2–3 precipitation through the rest of the day. Such conditions could lead to treacherous track surfaces, unpredictable grip levels, and possible delays to the sprint and qualifying sessions.
The warning rekindles memories of last year’s chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix, when torrential rain disrupted proceedings. That event saw Max Verstappen charge from 17th to victory amid aborted starts, multiple safety cars, and a mid-race red flag. Lance Stroll’s spin during the formation lap delayed the initial getaway, while several collisions later forced officials to neutralize the race repeatedly. McLaren, despite locking out the front row with Lando Norris, squandered their advantage through strategic missteps in mixed conditions—ultimately watching Verstappen take control of a race that descended into survival mode.
With this weekend’s weather predicted to follow a similar pattern, teams are bracing for a test of adaptability and nerve. Wet tyre strategies, pit wall communication, and driver composure could all prove decisive in determining not just the sprint outcome but also the broader championship battle between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen. The FIA’s pre-emptive alert serves as both a safeguard and a stark reminder: at Interlagos, even the most meticulously engineered plans can be washed away in an instant.
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