Qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix has been delayed by at
least 15 minutes due to concerns over debris on track. A number of
cuts to tyres were discovered by Pirelli after the weekend’s only
practice session at Interlagos, with Aston Martin driver Fernando
Alonso hit with a puncture during the hour of running. Just 10
minutes before the scheduled start of qualifying, the FIA confirmed
there would be a delay while the track was cleaned and swept.
Pirelli Head of Motorsport Mario Isola indicated the Italian
manufacturer had asked the governing body to clean the track
following practice having discovered the cuts, though initially
suggested that the issue was related to the pit lane rather than on
track. A spokesperson for the FIA explained: “Delay to the start of
qualifying due to the need to do further sweeping/cleaning of the
track after the previous session.” Ferrari enters the session on
the front foot having finished one-two in practice – Carlos Sainz
ahead of Charles Leclerc – but rain is forecast.
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