Dark skies, “Skyfall” edits, and more: With Qualifying on the horizon at Brazil’s Interlagos circuit, here’s a throwback to 2023’s Brazil Qualifying.
There’s something special about Brazil and the changing weather. Changeable weather around the Interlagos circuit has often spiced up qualifying sessions and races. Be it Kevin Magnussen’s special Haas pole in 2022, or Nico Hulkenberg grabbing his only F1 pole here in 2010, there is always something in the air around this magical 2.67-mile circuit. However, few would top the thrilling qualifying session around the Brazilian circuit in 2023.
Photographers captured the thrilling moment of cars heading up the main straight underneath a dark rain cloud. Fans created edits featuring Adele’s famous song, “Skyfall.” The atmosphere and the dark rain cloud hanging over the circuit had everyone in awe. It was a thrilling sight to behold.
The backdrop to the moment
Be it the wet or the dry weather, Qualifying around Brazil tends to be entertaining. The session was set to be a frantic and action-packed one, around a fast and exciting racetrack, with 70-second lap times.
With rain and inclement weather forecast for the qualifying sessions, drivers and teams took the high ground. As a result, drivers were out early in the session to set lap times. The first session of qualifying saw the two AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo drivers knocked out. Lewis Hamilton impeded Tsunoda, one of the five eliminated, in the pits, causing an outburst from the Japanese driver over the radio.
In contrast, while Q1 proved a tough battle, Q2 proved more straightforward. The two Alpine and Haas drivers were unable to break into the top ten, with Lance Stroll’s 1:10375 enough to get him into Q3. Alex Albon’s chances took a hit when he exceeded track limits at turn four, losing his lap time.
However, the final Q3 session would be anything but ordinary. While Q1 and Q2 proved straightforward, the top ten shootout would be affected by rain.
A big rain cloud hits the Brazilian circuit for Q3
For the second year in succession, it was a one-lap shootout in Q3. The rain that threatened to hit the track during qualifying was all set to affect the final part of Q3.
As the drivers exited their pit boxes for their first runs in Q3, the dark rain cloud began to settle over the circuit. It settled over the main straight, presenting an unmistakable night-like sight heading into turn one.
With rain slated to hit the track in two minutes, Verstappen began his flying lap. The Dutchman was the first car to take to the track for a fast lap. As a result, he had the best conditions at hand.
While he did stray slightly wide in turn three, he set two purple sectors, eventually crossing the line in P1. Consequently, photographers lined up their cameras and captured the unmistakable shot of the Dutchman going onto the main straight, into the darkness. Fans were awed at the moment of perfect synchrony on the broadcast, the Red Bull zooming onto the main straight with three purple sectors under Verstappen’s name.
The rest of the grid too voiced out their thoughts. Fernando Alonso even remarked “It’s night”, referring to the cloud hovering over the main straight, and the lights switched on. Charles Leclerc, who put in the second quickest time, remarked how he’d never seen such a sight before.
The stewards red-flagged the session as the winds got gustier. As a result, it would be impossible for drivers to go out in the blustery conditions to set a lap time. The session was eventually suspended after a deluge hit the circuit in Brazil.
How this session gave birth to a famous video edit on social media
While fans expressed their shock and awe on social media, content creators took a step further. Within a few days, they had put out an edited video across social media that would go on to grab plenty of fame and attention.
This popular video involved a transition featuring the 2022 US Grand Prix at Austin and the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix. The first part of the video captured an overhead shot of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari in the first sector around the Circuit of the Americas. As the Ferrari rounded turn 10, the edited video featured a transition to Verstappen’s Q3 lap at Interlagos, the Dutchman crossing the line as he headed onto the main straight.
Dubbed with Adele’s famous song, “Skyfall” as the soundtrack, the edited videos went viral across social media. One of these edits by a YouTuber “Byos3188” accrued 788k views. Several YouTubers received well over 200k views for their edited videos too.
This famous transition and edited video has seen fans liken Adele’s “Skyfall” to Formula One. Fans have even wondered if the intensity of the song was ideal for a high-adrenaline sport of F1’s stature.
As F1 embarks on its yearly Brazilian sprint weekend, rain appears on the horizon for this year’s edition once again. If the heavens do open up, expect photographers and content creators rubbing their hands in glee, for yet more fan-favourite content.
As for the on-track action, today’s Sprint race offered a proper prequel to the remaining sessions of the weekend. McLaren are fast, but so are Red Bull. Ferrari do not have the race pace that they showcased in Texas and Mexico, but a podium finish may still be out for grabs for the Scuderia.
Qualifying for the main Grand Prix is in an hour’s time. Will it be another McLaren 1-2, or will Max Verstappen have a response for them?
