Turkish Grand Prix qualifying was red-flagged on Saturday after heavy rain made driving conditions hazardous on the freshly-resurfaced circuit in Istanbul.
The first qualifying session was interrupted with almost seven minutes still to go with Renault’s Esteban Ocon at the top of the time sheets.
“It’s raining, crazy” said Lewis Hamilton over the Mercedes team radio.
The action resumed after a 44 minute hiatus when the rain relented and the track was cleared of standing water.
There were six minutes and 56 seconds of the opening Q1 session remaining when the session was stopped after the drivers had struggled to avoid accidents and collisions.
Ocon led the times ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes and Lance Stroll of Racing Point.
Six-time champion Hamilton who is seeking to seal a record-equalling seventh title triumph in Sunday’s race, held fourth place in the second Mercedes.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, who had topped the times in all three of the rain-affected and cold practice sessions, was 15th after making an early start to the action.
Four minutes after re-starting, the session was red-flagged again when Romain Grosjean went off into the gravel in his Haas.
“I am stuck, I am stuck” he cried on team radio.
The Frenchman’s exit was bad news for Charles Leclerc who ran off in his Ferrari after a spin, but recovered.
Leclerc was 16th and appeared set to be eliminated from Q1 unless he could improve his time in a final effort in the final minutes.
Once it re-started for a second time Leclerc duly assured his progress into Q2 behind Verstappen with Hamilton scraping through in 14th.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSaudi Arabia formally launches bid for 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on Friday,...
By AFP