Poor weather forces Nurburgring FP1 cancellation
Formula 1 drivers were unable to take to the track in first practice for the Eifel Grand Prix after poor weather conditions prevented the session from starting.
Rain on Friday morning left the track damp as temperatures only reached a high of 11ºC, and although conditions did improve nearing the start of FP1, clouds and fog continued to linger in the surrounding region.
Race control reported 10 minutes before the session was due to begin that the medical helicopter was unable to fly due to the weather conditions, meaning there could be no running until they improved.
An initial 30-minute delay to the session starting was confirmed soon after the message, leaving the drivers and teams sat in their garages waiting to get out on track as the clock ticked down.
At 11:30am, race control issued a further update stating there had been no change in the situation, prompting another 30-minute wait before the next review.
Officials then confirmed at 12:00pm the session would not be able to start
"With the fog that's come in, the medical helicopter is not able to take off and fly to the hospital," FIA race director Michael Masi said during the session.
"The distance by road is too far, should something occur.
"With the region that we're in, it's probably not dissimilar to Austria earlier in the year when we had a similar situation. It's just the nature of the area and the location.
"The fog's come in, and it's all been going up slightly but coming down more dramatically, so we'll just judge at the time [if it is safe to start].
"From an FIA perspective, the safety of all the participants and the drivers hopefully going out is paramount, and that's not something we will compromise."
The scrapping of the session denied Ferrari junior drivers Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott to make their race weekend debuts on-track with Alfa Romeo and Haas respectively.
Schumacher had been due to deputise for Antonio Giovinazzi at Alfa Romeo for the session, while Ilott was set to appear in place of Romain Grosjean at Haas, continuing their recent F1 preparations.
Second practice for the Eifel Grand Prix is due to begin at 3:00pm local time at the Nurburgring on Friday.
Related video
Previous article
Verstappen: "No sense" in pondering F1 future after Honda
Next article
How Ferrari's and Mercedes' most dominant F1 cars compare
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Eifel GP |
| Sub-event | FP1 |
| Author | Luke Smith |
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
OPINION: It's been an uneasy ride for Esteban Ocon since his F1 comeback - and fresh challenges lie in wait as he's joined by double world champion Fernando Alonso in the newly rebranded Alpine team. STUART CODLING sets out a roadmap to success…
