In a twist that nature itself seemed to orchestrate, the Brazil GP qualifying was abruptly cut short. With a mere 4:19 left on the clock, a violent thunderstorm unleashed its fury upon the Interlagos circuit, bringing an early end to the Saturday skirmish. As darkness engulfed the track, Fernando Alonso’s voice crackled over the team radio, his words painting a stark picture, “It’s night,” he said, as the storm bore down on his Aston Martin.

Scary turn of events at the Brazilian GP Qualifying, as attendees were subjected to moments of sheer terror. A potent storm took many by surprise, leading to significant damage on the racetrack. Notably, a grandstand roof at the final corner gave way, causing debris to fall dangerously close to spectators.

Fans share scary near-miss at Interlagos grandstand

Twitter (now X) was abuzz with firsthand accounts of the chilling experience. Andy Hone took to his handle to share: “What a scary 10 minutes on track! A grandstand roof collapsed at the last corner and nearly got decapitated by falling debris! #F1 #Formula1 #BrazilianGP”.

With the sudden collapse of infrastructure amidst extreme weather conditions, the safety of attendees came into sharp focus. It remains crucial to ensure that racing venues are equipped to withstand unforeseen challenges, ensuring the well-being of both racers and fans. As the debris is cleared and assessments are made, the Formula 1 community comes together, offering support and concern for all those affected.

With more people chiming in on Twitter, it seems no one was hurt in this ordeal. Brazilian GP Qualifying turned out to be a stormy saga of the most unexpected events clubed together.

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Brazilian GP Qualifying: A stormy affair

Adding to the visual saga, journalist Julianne Cerasoli captured a striking image that showcased the storm’s dual nature. The photo revealed the powerful winds tearing the roof tarps from one of the spectator stands.

Despite the tempest’s rage, the day belonged to Max Verstappen, who, undeterred by the brewing storm, clinched his 31st career pole position. The Red Bull racing maestro will be leading the pack, leaving his rivals to chase down his tail lights when the race commences. Trailing him, Charles Leclerc secured the second spot.

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Amidst all the action, a single lap of brilliance catapulted Lance Stroll into the spotlight. The Canadian snagged an impressive third place on the grid. His performance edged out teammate Alonso, who, despite the unnerving conditions, will start from a strong fourth position. Hope all is well for Sunday’s race and everybody’s safe!