The pair were called to share their sides of the incident with the stewards after the race, and both drivers were handed a five-second time penalty and one penalty point.

Bearman was penalised for driving in a manner deemed potentially dangerous, while Lawson was penalised for causing a collision – his ruling released about 40 minutes later.

“As Car 30 [Lawson] attempted to move alongside, the driver of Car 87 [Bearman] moved to the left, leaving insufficient room and forcing Car 30 to place two wheels on the wet grass. Although Car 30 managed to keep control and avoid contact, this manoeuvre occurred at high speed and created an unnecessary risk,” the stewards said in their ruling for Bearman’s penalty.

For Lawson’s, they said: “Video evidence from circuit cameras and onboard footage did not clearly establish whether the front axle of Car 30 was at least momentarily alongside the rear-view mirror of Car 87 prior to the apex, let alone whether this overlap was maintained at the apex – as would be required under the Driving Standards Guidelines for an overtaking car on the inside to be entitled to racing room.”

With rain falling in Sao Paulo overnight, the wet but drying track gave the drivers plenty to consider. With the majority of the grid going out on medium tyres, it was a strong start from the usual suspects, with McLaren’s Lando Norris getting a great start from pole position to take the early lead.

It was on lap six that things started to get interesting when Norris’ teammate Piastri took the kerb at turn four. The kerb was still holding water, which sent the Australian spinning into the barriers.

Within seconds, he was joined there by Hulkenberg and then Colapinto, who did the exact same thing.

The carnage saw red flags come out and the race was suspended as the track was cleared. Hulkenberg was able to continue, but Piastri and Colapinto’s teams have work to do ahead of qualifying.

When racing resumed from a rolling start, Lawson was in 13th, and while he was passed by both Bearman and Haas teammate Esteban Ocon on lap 17, Bortoleto going into the barriers at turn one on the final lap – impacting Williams’ Alex Albon in the process – saw Lawson back into 13th at the finish.

Bortoleto is unlikely to feature in qualifying given the damage to his car.

Sao Paulo sprint race results

DNF: Oscar Piastri – McLaren, Franco Colapinto – Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.