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Motor racing-Sao Paulo GP certifying postponed to Sunday due to rain

Receiving Brazil's Sao Paulo Formula One Grand Prix was rescheduled for 0730 local time (1030GMT) on Sunday with the race start brought forward by 90 minutes after rain and lightning made conditions risky on Saturday.

The race will now begin at 1230 regional (1530GMT) rather of 1400 (1700GMT).

After being delayed for 2 hours without any improvement in conditions, amid fading daytime, officials decided Saturday's certifying could not proceed.

It's a pity but the conditions are not safe to drive, as basic as that, Solution One president Stefano Domenicali informed F1 television in a pitlane interview as the rain continued to fall. Racing in these conditions is difficult.

The governing FIA said the choice was taken due to bad visibility and standing water.

The safety of motorists, staff member, volunteers, authorities and spectators is our primary concern, it stated in a statement.

Qualifying has been held on a Sunday in the past, most recently at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix when a passing tropical cyclone required a delay.

Saturday's sprint race at Interlagos, won by Lando Norris in a McLaren one-two, was kept in dry conditions as was Friday practice and sprint qualifying.

More rain is anticipated for Sunday.

Brazil is the 21st round of the 24-race champion and the last of an American treble on succeeding weekends.

Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen leads closest competing Norris by 44 points and any race cancellation would have a big influence on the title outcome.

If all goes on as prepared, Verstappen will have a 5 location

grid charge

for the race after exceeding his engine allowance.

(source: Reuters)