MUST-SEE: Sainz brings out second red flag of qualifying with slide into the wall at Interlagos

Last week’s race winner Carlos Sainz saw his qualifying in Sao Paulo come to an early end as he slowly slid into the barriers, bringing out the red flags for the second time in the session.

Heading up to Turn 2, the Ferrari driver picked up the power, resulting in the rear of his car snapping – Sainz drifting off the track and whacking into the barriers in a heavy shunt.

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

He thankfully appeared uninjured as he climbed out of the car and walked away from the incident, but the Italian team has a big job ahead of them to make repairs in just a handful of hours before the Grand Prix.

“It was the first lap on inters and I clearly misjudged the grip,” said Sainz after returning to the paddock. “Honestly I haven’t been very comfortable with the car in the wet this year for some reason. We were on the line and on the limit the whole session.

“Not enjoying that one, but we’ll try and see what we can do for later, but clearly a mistake and not very happy.”

Pushed, meanwhile, on if his Ferrari would be repaired in time for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at 1230 local time, Sainz replied: “It should be possible, but you never know.”

Rain had affected the early part of the session, with the wet track contributing to Franco Colapinto's crash and the subsequent red flag in Q1, but the track had begun to dry out slightly as Q2 got under way.