Ahead of Q1, the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees. There was heavy rain shortly after the end of FP3 but it soon passed. Though it is not currently raining, and the track remains wet, more rain is expected, and, as you can see, it is much cooler than it was.
The three practice sessions have seen three different drivers topping the timesheets, Norris in FP1, Antonelli in FP3 and Verstappen this morning, though, according to the Dutchman, he did not have the easiest of times, rather the worst of times.
Whatever happens over the next hour, the fact is that Verstappen, Russell, Hamilton and Leclerc all face grid penalties, indeed the Dutchman is to start from the back of the grid. With that in mind, we he opt not to run and thereby save tyres, or will he help his teammate with a tow up the hill. Russell is only facing a 5-place drop, while the Ferrari pair both lost ten places.
Half an hour before the start of Q1, Ferrari announces: Following today's FP3 session, the power unit fitted to car #44 was removed for further checks. After completing our analysis, we have decided to replace the entire power unit. Lewis will take part in qualifying but will have to start tomorrow's race from the back of the grid.
Consequently, we are robbed of several of the key players, but Antonelli will still be in the fight in Q3, along with the McLaren pair and possibly Hadjar.
Given the opportunity it remains to be seen who will best take advantage, for while the RB duo have been looking strong all weekend, the Audis have been up there, while Alpine will be keen to make up for last weekend's disappointment.
In the seconds, seriously seconds, before the start of Q1, it begins to rain, and rain hard. Unfortunately there is already a queue in the pitlane and they will have to go out.
Bottas cautiously leads the way, followed by Colapinto, Gasly, Russell and Antonelli.
Some are already on full wets while others are on Inters.
"We'll have to stop for the ex-wet," Russell is told. Antonelli is also on the Inter, as is Leclerc and Hadjar. Verstappen, like Hamilton, is still in his garage.
"I'm already aquaplaning," says Antonelli.
As Antonelli arrives in the pitlane, the session is red-flagged.
"Oh my God, I need a new seat, a new suit," laughs Hadjar.
"That was a nasty little shower," laughs Antonelli. "Wow, I'm so wet!"
Bearman has been noted for reversing in the pitlane. Indeed, he has been reprimanded.
The Medical Car is sent out to inspect the track. It has stopped raining, but it is poor drainage that has always been an issue here.
Now the Safety Car heads out. As it completes a second lap it begins to rain again.
As well as the rain, there is lightning.
"It's not driveable, it is too dangerous," confirms Bernd Maylander. "We were not expecting that lot of rain, but it can change quickly at Interlagos. Let's see what happens in the next 10-15 minutes and try again."
At 16:20, there is activity in the pitlane following Maylander's latest inspection.
Engines fire up and engineers prepare to give the all-clear to their drivers.
"Q1 will resume at 16:26," confirms Race Control at 16:23. However, there is another downpour on the way.
A queue forms in the pitlane.
"The rain is intensifying again now," warns Hulkenberg.
"It's pretty heavy out here," confirms Piastri.
Bottas leads the way, followed by Perez Colapinto, Gasly, Hulkenberg and Bearman.
Verstappen is told that the intensity will increase in five minutes.
As Bottas begins his flying lap, Gasly warns of a lot of aquaplaning.
The Mercedes pair are last to head out.
It's a wild ride for Bottas who has a couple of worrying twitches. As Camara spins, Bottas crosses the line at 42.314 and his teammate at 40.881.
Seemingly Camara hit the barrier but was able to continue.
Hulkenberg posts a 40.512, but Leclerc responds with a 39.393, Hamilton a 38.344 and Verstappen a 37.932.
Norris goes third and Russell fourth, while Antonelli goes sixth, 2.236s off Verstappen's pace.
Alonso goes top with a 36.930 and Stroll goes second, but Verstappen (36.724) and Leclerc subsequently leapfrog them.
Bortoleto is off at Turn 12 but is able to continue.
Hulkenberg retakes the top spot with a 35.793, and as Sainz goes second, both are demoted by Verstappen (35.477) and then Hamilton (34.824).
Quickest in the two final sectors, Russell goes top with a 34.373, ahead of Norris.
Stroll has gone off at Turn 12, but again he is able to continue.
Bortoleto's session is over due to damage to his rear wing.
Hulkenberg goes top, then Bearman as Sainz becomes another victim of Turn 12.
Lawson goes second, ahead of Lindblad and Hulkenberg, but again Verstappen improves (33.074).
A 32.441 puts Russell top ahead of Norris and Antonelli, the order changing lap after lap, moment after moment.
Alonso goes fourth but is demoted by Leclerc, while Hadjar can only manage eleventh, 1.279s off the pace.
A 31.693 puts Hulkenberg top again, as Lawson goes second and Lindblad third.
Camara improves to thirteenth, as Verstappen raises the benchmark to 31.238.
Hamilton goes second, but he is demoted when Russell goers top (31.206).
Alonso goes sixth as Norris looks set to improve.
Hadjar improves to fifth but is demoted when Norris goes top with a 30.939.
Despite a two from his teammate, Gasly fails to improve on 18th and thereby misses the cut.
Quickest is Norris, ahead of Russell, Verstappen, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Hadjar, Lawson, Alonso, Leclerc and Antonelli.
We lose Colapinto, Gasly, Stroll, Bottas, Perez and Bortoleto.
Russell gets Q2 underway, followed by Albon, Antonelli, Lawson, Lindblad and Norris.
It appears that Verstappen will not be taking part, there's not an issue with his car, he merely wishes to save tyres, particularly if it's wet tomorrow. On the other hand, Hamilto, who will also start from the back of the grid, is on track.
"Water level looks to be intermediate, but these wets are performing OK," says Russell as he posts a 30.957.
Antonelli posts a 30.283, while Lawson goes third and Lindblad fourth.
Norris responds with a 30.198 as Sainz goes sixth and Camara seventh.
A 29.795 puts Leclerc at the top of the timesheets, teammate Hamilton goes fifth, 0.911s off the pace.
No sooner has Hamilton improves to second than he is demoted by Russell (29.285).
Antonelli makes it a Mercedes 1-2 when he stops the clock with a 29.644.
Lindblad is told to stop the car in a safe place. He pulls off behind the barriers at Turn 5.
As Russell looks set to improve, Alonso makes the switch to Inters, as does Bearman. Lawson and Hadjar follow suit.
Antonelli improves (29.302) but remains second.
No sooner has Alonso gone third, than Bearman (Inters) goes top with a 29.130.
Lawson goes top with a 27.478 as more and more drivers switch to the green-banded rubber.
Sainz is the latest to have a moment at Turn 12, as Russell consolidates his top spot with a 26.745.
Lawson goes second, Leclerc third and Hulkenberg fourth.
Camara is off and in the barrier at Turn 12 and as a result the session is red-flagged.
A disaster for Piastri who will not have time to improve as the session will not resume. Equally frustrating for Lindblad also.
"I'm sorry for that," says a clearly contrite Camara.
Quickest is Russell, ahead of Lawson, Hadjar, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Albon, Alonso, Bearman, Norris and Antonelli.
We lose Hamilton, Piastri, Camara, Lindblad, Sainz and Verstappen.
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