Hurricane Patricia hits F1 qualifying | CNN

U.S. Grand Prix: Hurricane Patricia hits F1 qualifying

By Paul Gittings, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 5:22 PM EDT, Sun October 25, 2015
Lewis Hamilton jumps for joy after taking his third world title.
Lewis Hamilton jumps for joy after taking his third world title.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Champagne moment: Hamilton laps up his title success in Austin after winning the United States Grand Prix.
Champagne moment: Hamilton laps up his title success in Austin after winning the United States Grand Prix.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
Hamilton drove his Mercedes to victory at the Circuit of the Americas in front of packed grandstands despite the poor weather.
Hamilton drove his Mercedes to victory at the Circuit of the Americas in front of packed grandstands despite the poor weather.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Hamilton shelters under an umbrella at the rain-hit United States Formula One Grand Prix.
Hamilton shelters under an umbrella at the rain-hit United States Formula One Grand Prix.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Nico Rosberg of Germany took pole after the truncated final qualifying session for the United States Grand Prix in Texas.
Nico Rosberg of Germany took pole after the truncated final qualifying session for the United States Grand Prix in Texas.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Hamilton braves the wet conditions at the Circuit of the Americas to post the fastest time in final practice for the U.S. Grand Prix.
Hamilton braves the wet conditions at the Circuit of the Americas to post the fastest time in final practice for the U.S. Grand Prix.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Hamilton clinches F1 title

Story highlights

NEW: Rosberg on pole for U.S. GP

Qualifying cut short by bad weather

Teammate Hamilton can clinch world title

Race weekend hit by Hurricane Patricia

CNN  — 

The lingering affects of Hurricane Patricia continued to disrupt the United States Grand Prix Sunday with final qualifying cut short due a waterlogged Circuit of the Americas in Texas.

Only two of the three sessions were held before officials cut short the action, with Nico Rosberg taking pole from Mercedes teammate and world champion in waiting Lewis Hamilton.

The race proper, weather permitting, is due to be held at 1400 local (1900GMT), but conditions remained unpredictable after the near total wash out of Friday and Saturday’s action in Austin.

Britain’s Hamilton can clinch his third world championship crown if he scores nine more points than his closest rival Sebastian Vettel and two more than Rosberg.

Vettel, who spun twice in Saturday’s sole practice session where Hamilton was fastest, will only start from the seventh row after being given a 10 place grid penalty for changing the engine on his Ferrari ahead of this round.

The Red Bull pair of Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kyvat, who so entertained the brave spectators Saturday with their dancing antics, finished third and fourth best to boost their chances of a podium, should the race take place.

Former world champion Jenson Button, only 11th in the under performing McLaren, gave his verdict on the conditions, “proper scary” being his verdict with standing water in some turns on the track.

Hamilton, on the verge of a third world title, appeared unconcerned that his chance of taking pole in the final session was denied. “It was generally good qualifying, lots of fun out there. I’m still happy with the 1-2 for the team,” he said.