The 2023 Formula 1 season is approaching what could well be a tragic finale. The storm damaged the stands at the legendary track in Brazil and forced the organizers to reconsider the race plan. The riders admit that they have never seen anything like this, and the injured fans needed medical help.

“It’s a night”

The next Formula 1 championship is coming to an end, only three rounds remain to be held. These days the racers compete in Brazil. The day before, qualifying took place at the legendary Interlagos track, the start of which was delayed by 15 minutes. The thing is that representatives of the tire manufacturer Pirelli demanded that the organizers additionally clean the track in order to reduce the likelihood of punctures.

A reasonable concern for safety could easily turn into a tragedy, although, of course, no one could even think about this before the start of the qualifying races. The first two segments passed in standard mode, but the sky gradually became cloudy.

By the start of the final qualifying period, Interlagos was plunged into darkness. The clouds were so thick that famed driver Fernando Alonso told the team over communications: “It’s night.”

The drivers lined up near the pit lane exit to get a good time. Before the first drops of rain fell, the racers managed to make only one good attempt. Some of the pilots had great difficulty returning to the pits, as the slick tires made the car completely uncontrollable.

Pit stop at a Formula 1 stage / Photo: © Rudy Carezzevoli / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

“I haven’t experienced anything like this”

The race management made the only correct decision – not to continue qualifying. But the worst thing began at Interlagos just a minute later. The wind increased significantly, and the rain turned into downpour. It is logical that most of the riders decided to wait out the bad weather in the pits. Some were even frightened by the violence of the elements.

“Everything turned out well for us, but, to be honest, I have never experienced anything like this in my entire career. It’s very difficult to control the car, there was no grip,” Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said after qualifying.

The fans found themselves in a much more dire situation. At first, many of them were in a good mood, not afraid of the elements. But the crowd’s mood changed dramatically after the wind tore the roof off the grandstand at the final turn. The fans hurried to leave the dangerous place. This was witnessed by Formula 1 photographer Andy Hohn, who shared footage from the scene and his impressions of the experience on social networks.

— What a terrible 10 minutes on the track! The roof of the grandstand collapsed on the final turn and was nearly decapitated by falling debris! — wrote Hon.

Formula 1 stage / Photo: © Hasan Bratic / Hasan Bratic / Global Look Press

Six spectators were less fortunate than the others. According to UOL, four fans were slightly injured, and two more required medical attention. And it was only by luck that there were no casualties.

The race management promised to eliminate all the consequences of the hurricane by Saturday. There is no talk of canceling the race.