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
Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss has made clear that Sergio Perez’s value to the American…
Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli received a particularly special welcome home this week, with…
Lando Norris has revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s longevity and continued ability to compete at the…
Former F1 driver Brett Lunger, born on this day in 1945, is pictured here hitching…
Ralf Schumacher has once again questioned Lewis Hamilton's credentials at Ferrari, arguing that the seven-time…
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that he offered his resignation to Mercedes-Benz group…