Max Verstappen opted not to take part in the second session of qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix.
In extreme wet conditions in Q1, after an 82-minute rain delay, Verstappen was third on the timesheet around Interlagos in his Red Bull at the conclusion.
But facing a 30-place grid penalty for power unit component changes, the four-time F1 champion and his team felt it prudent not to continue further.
With heavy rain forecast for the grand prix on Sunday, it is understood the decision was made to save sets of the extreme wet Pirellis, which stood up well in the dreadful conditions that dominated Q1.
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