Sao Paulo Grand Prix organisers have indicated that there are fortunately no serious injuries to report following the collapse of a grandstand roof after Friday’s qualifying at Interlagos.
The afternoon session was cut short by four minutes by race control for safety reasons when the wind picked up and dark clouds rolled in.
But minutes after qualifying was red flagged, all hell broke loose when a wall of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning hit the track.
Tents were blown away and a canopy flew off a grandstand, but more severe damage was inflicted on another grandstand - located at the beginning of the main straight - that saw its roof collapse which led to chaotic scenes as spectators ran for cover.
Haas photographer Andy Hone was on site as the drama unfolded.
“What a scary 10 minutes on track!” he said on social media.
"A grandstand roof collapsed at the last corner and nearly got decapitated by falling debris!”
Gusts of 104 km/h were reported at the local airport. But luckily, fans should be spared adverse conditions on Saturday as cloudy skies and low winds, and very low chances of rain, are forecasted.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
As predicted, Friday at the Red Bull Ring unfolded under clear blue skies but scorching…
Mercedes may have ended Friday at the top of the timesheets in Spielberg, but George…
The revolving door at Red Bull Racing may not have stopped spinning just yet. A…
A quick and determined Kimi Antonelli finished Friday’s second practice at the Red Bull Ring…
Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull…
Max Verstappen is laser focused on Red Bull's home Formula 1 race in Spielberg, but…