Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Thunderstorms could shake up Saturday’s running at the Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, while rain and a sharp drop in temperatures are forecast for Sunday at Interlagos.
The early forecast suggests a change in conditions across the weekend in Brazil, with warm weather giving way to a much cooler race day. Sao Paulo is renowned for its unpredictable weather and the early forecast the possibility of another wet race in Brazil.
Thunderstorms could affect Sao Paulo GP qualifying
Qualifying day at Sao Paulo currently carries the clearest threat of rain across the three days, with thunderstorms currently predicted. Weather Atlas forecasts a high of 27°C, a 90% chance of precipitation and around 18mm of rainfall across the day.
With qualifying scheduled for 15:00 local time, teams will be keeping a close eye on how the forecast develops ahead of the battle for pole position.
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Honda are also preparing for the possibility of heavy rain, with Shintaro Orihara, trackside general manager and chief engineer, highlighting the challenges that wet conditions could pose for power unit management.
“We need to be ready for the potential heavy rain,” he said in a statement on Honda's social media pages. “In wet conditions, the energy management side becomes a key area to adapt to the grid conditions. It's then about balancing the harvesting and turbo lag.”
Rain risk and cooler conditions on Sunday
Sunday is expected to bring a significant temperature drop. Weather Atlas forecasts a maximum of just 18°C, with showers, a 65% chance of precipitation and around 5mm of rain across the day.
However, the Met Office expects drizzle to give way to overcast conditions by late morning. That leaves open the possibility of a dry race, with lights out scheduled for 14:00 local time, or 17:00 GMT.
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There have been some memorable wet races in Brazil, including Max Verstappen's charge from P17 in 2024 and Giancarlo Fisichella's victory in a Jordan in 2003.
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