Fernando Alonsohas advanced to the final round of qualifying for the GP of São Paulo, also known as the GP of Brazil. The Spanish driver has placed his Aston Martin among the ten participants in Q3 in a session marked by water, stoppages, and grip changes.
The passage came in an especially crash-filled qualifying. The second elimination ended after a red flag caused by the crash of Rafael Câmara, while Alonso appeared among the drivers advancing to the final round.
The next stop is Sunday’s race, 8 November. The official schedule sets the start at 14:00 hours in São Paulo, equivalent to 18:00 in peninsular Spain and 17:00 in the Canary Islands.
Alonso changes the scene of some complicated practice sessions
Access to Q3 contrasts with the position Alonso had occupied in the last free practice sessions. The Asturian finished that session eighteenth, behind Alexander Albon and ahead of Carlos Sainz.
Max Verstappen led the Libres 3, followed by Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris. The FIA explained that the rain began to fall at the end of the session, leaving potentially different conditions for qualifying.
On Friday, Aston Martin had not placed among the front positions either. Alonso finished thirteenth in the first session and fifteenth in the second, according to the results published by Fórmula 1.
Saturday’s developments allow two scenarios to be separated: the performance observed in practice sessions and the ability to get through eliminations on a wet track. Advancing to Q3 improves his classification, although on its own it does not guarantee the pace he will be able to maintain during the race.
Qualifying and the grid are not the same
Interlagos presents another peculiarity: several drivers carry penalties that modify their starting position with respect to the order of qualifying.
There have been penalties for engine component changes for George Russell and Charles Leclerc, among others, while Max Verstappen must start from the back of the grid. These moves require distinguishing between the position achieved in one lap and the place from which the Grand Prix begins.
To know Alonso’s definitive box, the reference is the grid published after applying the penalties. A provisional result for Q3 is not enough to establish it.
What time is the Formula 1 race in Brazil
The race is scheduled for Sunday, November 8 at 18:00 peninsular time. In the Canary Islands it will be one hour earlier.
The event takes place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, the Interlagos circuit, and 71 laps are planned over a 4.309-kilometer track. The official calendar warns that the times are subject to change.
This is the main race of the weekend. The program for this edition includes three practice sessions, qualifying, and the grand prix, with no sprint race.
Where to watch Fernando Alonso at the Brazilian GP
In Spain, the race can be followed through DAZN F1. The broadcast is available through the formats and operators that include that channel in their subscription.
The start time is different from the beginning of the previous broadcast. To follow the grid lineup formation and the latest news before the grand prix, you have to check the schedule of the contracted service.
The appointment is set for Sunday afternoon in Spain: 18:00 in the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, and 17:00 in the Canary Islands.