12/11/2016
NEWS STORY
As expected, the infamously fickle Sao Paulo weather did it again this morning, yesterday's warm sunshine giving way to rain and blustery winds.
A session which was declared wet was actually only damp and as a result it wasn't long before drivers ditched the wets and Inters in favour of slicks.
While there was drizzle later in the session, for the most part there weren't any major shocks or disappointments - though an engine change meant that Marcus Ericsson only completed one lap.
Jolyon Palmer did well to finish eighth, while both Ferraris looked a lot better this morning than they did yesterday.
Having been quickest in both of yesterday's sessions, this morning Lewis Hamilton was eclipsed by teammate Nico Rosberg.
If nothing else, unlike the last couple of races, we know that the weather is going to play a part this weekend, if not over the next hour then certainly tomorrow. The fact that it is likely to be changeable only increases the sense of anticipation for we all know that this is often the great leveller.
Consequently, along with the prospect of a rank outsider winning there is the impact this could have on the battle for the championship.
There is late drama at Ferrari where, with ten minutes to go, Vettel's car is on its stands with its floor off, the problem understood to be brake related.
Meanwhile, the drizzle has eased off but the wind has picked up.
Consequently, even if Vettel's car is readied in time, conditions might have worsened to the point that he is unable to qualify.
Ahead of Q1 the air temperature is 18 degrees C, while the track temperature is 26 degrees. Race Control claims there is a 70% chance of rain.
Hamilton and Rosberg head the queue at the end of the pitlane. They are joined by the Manor and Haas duos, all are on softs.
Despite losing time behind Ricciardo in S3, Hamilton posts 11.511, while Rosberg is 0.304s off the pace.
Verstappen goes third (11.957), ahead of Raikkonen and Ricciardo.
His engine change completed, Ericsson heads out leaving Vettel as the only no-show.
Asked if he needs to "go again", Hamilton is told "negative, we're happy with that lap, so box, box, box".
With 12:10 remaining Vettel heads out - great work by the Ferrari crew.
As Vettel begins his flying lap, teammate Raikkonen reports that it looks like it's about to rain. The German crosses the line at 12.159 to go 5th.
"Box this lap," says Hulkenberg a previous pole man here and currently eleventh. "It's not happening."
With 6:40 remaining only the Manors are on track.
The drop zone currently comprises Button, Wehrlein, Ocon, Nasr, Ericsson and Magnussen, with Palmer, Perez and Gutierrez hovering.
Separated by just 0.005s, the Manor duo head back to the pits.
Button posts a PB in S1, teammate Alonso currently ninth overall. The Briton posts another PB in S2, however a poor final sector means he doesn't improve and remains 17th.
A mistake sees Sainz run wide in T4 though the Spaniard looks to be safe in 12th.
Magnussen improves to 18th as Button complains of oversteer and understeer.
Told he's P17, Button sarcastically suggests: "We've definitely sorted those problems out then haven't we?"
Hamilton is quickest, ahead of Rosberg, Verstappen, Raikkonen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Massa, Bottas and Perez.
We lose Button, Magnussen, Wehrlein, Ocon, Ericsson and Nasr.
As the stewards announce that they are to investigate an impeding incident involving Palmer and Ocon (no, us neither), the skies have brightened, albeit just a little.
Again, the Mercedes duo are first out, followed by Bottas, Massa, Verstappen and Ricciardo.
"Remember, this is race car set," Hamilton is told.
Again, Hamilton is the pace setter, the Briton posting 11.238 compared to the German's 11.373. Bottas, who goes third, can only manage 12.420.
Check out our Saturday gallery from Interlagos, here.
An 11.834 sees Verstappen go third, ahead of teammate Ricciardo, but moments later Vettel splits the pair with a 12.010.
As Raikkonen aborts his lap after making mistake, Vettel says: "Lap was OK, I stuffed the last corner, I think you saw". Indeed, the team did see.
Raikkonen posts 12.301 to go sixth having "stuffed" his first flying lap.
Behind the usual suspects, it's: Bottas,. Alonso, Massa and Sainz.
"We're quicker than last year's pole now, 111.238 from Hamilton," confirms Pirelli.
The Force India duo, which has the track to itself, go ninth and tenth, Renault-bound Hulkenberg leading the way.
A very scruffy lap which includes two heavy lock-ups sees Palmer fail to improve on twelfth (13.258).
The Haas duo appear to be going out for one late run.
Alonso, Hulkenberg, Perez, Massa, Sainz, Kvyat and the Haas duo head out for the final assault. They are joined by Bottas.
Local hero Massa is currently 11th. He crosses the line at 12.521 to go ninth but he is soon demoted as Perez, Hulkenberg and Grosjean all improve.
A nightmare for Williams with both cars missing the cut, while both Force Indias are through.
"Everything was different from the first run," says Massa, "I don't know why."
Quickest was Hamilton, ahead of Rosberg, Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Alonso, Perez, Grosjean and Hulkenberg.
We lose Bottas, Gutierrez, Massa, Kvyat, Sainz and Palmer.
Again, Hamilton cannot wait to get proceedings underway, though Rosberg is also clearly 'up for it'.
The Silver Arrows are soon joined by the Red Bulls, Ferraris and Alonso... who has slipped through to Q3 almost unnoticed.
Rosberg is slightly quicker in S1, while Hamilton has the edge in S2. At the line Hamilton posts 10.860 while the German can only manage 11.022.
Raikkonen goes third with a 11.485 but is soon demoted by Ricciardo, Vettel and Verstappen (11.485). The latter three covered by just 0.055s.
As Grosjean looks to be waiting for a single, late run, Hulkenberg goes eighth, just behind Alonso.
"I lost two tenths from the last corner to the finish line, I don't know why," sighs Raikkonen.
With 4:40 remaining, Grosjean heads out, the Frenchman enjoying a clear track.
Grosjean crosses the line at 11.937 to go seventh, an impressive lap and no complaining.
As the Frenchman slows down, the remaining nine drivers head down the pitlane.
Hamilton goes quickest in S1 but Rosberg responds going even quicker. Hamilton crosses the line at 10.736 but despite improving Rosberg remains 0.102s off the pace.
Raikkonen takes a very impressive third (11.404), ahead of Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Perez and Alonso.
Bottas will start eleventh tomorrow, ahead of Gutierrez, Massa, Kvyat, Sainz, Palmer, Button, Magnussen, Wehrlein, Ocon, Ericsson and Nasr.
"How much time was missing?" asks Rosberg, the German missing out by 0.102s.
An impressive job by Hamilton and also Raikkonen, but having opted to keep out of it this afternoon will the weather gods make an appearance tomorrow? All the signs are that they will.
Check out our Saturday gallery from Interlagos, here.