F1 Brazil GP sprint and qualifying set to be affected by storms and heavy rain

Heavy rain and high winds are forecast ahead of Brazil's Saturday sessions - with the F1 sprint race likely to be affected

Formula 1's Brazilian Grand Prix is set to be affected by storms on Saturday morning, which could offer disruption to the sprint race and qualifying session through the day.

An orange alert for storms has been issued by Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology, predicting heavy rain and high winds on Saturday morning - which may extend through the day.

A spokesperson for the FIA has informed Motorsport.com that the peak of the storm is likely to hit Sao Paulo between 6am-9am local time, with the potential for gusts of up to 75kph.

In the event of the storm approaching, teams will be instructed to keep their garages closed outside of any on-track activities to ensure any effects from the weather are kept to a minimum.

The FIA will then gauge the situation and determine how to proceed from the onset of any inclement weather.

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Saturday's sprint race is scheduled for 11am local time, and there is provision to move this back should conditions be deemed unsuitable for racing. However, the sporting regulations state that qualifying can start no earlier than three hours after the conclusion of the sprint.

This offers a limited window to move the sprint around, as sunset falls just after 6:30pm - although low light has been experienced through the past few days before that point.

Should the FIA aim to keep the sprint race on the schedule, this could offer a repeat of last year's weather-affected schedule when qualifying was moved to 7:30am local time on Sunday morning, while the race was pushed forward to 12:30pm on Sunday.

The storms are expected to clear by Saturday evening at the absolute latest, with Sunday set for a much reduced chance of rain.

To award points, the sprint race must reach at least half-distance across its 24-lap run-time, with two or more laps conducted without the safety car. There is no provision for half-points in the sprint race regulations; full points will be awarded if the aforementioned criteria are met.