German GP qualifying at risk?

Joas van Wingerden

Saturday 21 July 2018 12:23

Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul suggested qualifying for the German Grand Prix could be cancelled after torrential conditions at Hockenheim left the track in a "too risky" condition. Carlos Sainz Jr was sent into a spin during Saturday's practice session, with further rain forecast at the track.

In the other Renault, Nico Hulkenberg was the only man to set a time in the first half of FP3, although running was severely limited as teams opted against gambling on a sodden circuit.

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Sainz's spin seemed to put teams off even further as the track soon emptied, prompting Abiteboul to cast doubts on whether the shootout will be held later in the day.

"We believe the track is unsafe at this point," Abiteboul told Sky Sports.

"There's no point in running in these conditions.

"I'm not sure if qualifying will happen in these conditions anyway, it's really too risky.

"We all know we're limited in parts plus parc ferme risk so it's very complex, all these factors need to be taken into account when thinking whether to run or not run."

Further rain is forecast for qualifying, adding credence to Abiteboul's claims.

"Hopefully [qualifying] will happen," he added. "I'm just saying Carlos reported that it was really, really dangerous in these conditions.

"Hopefully it will improve and I don't think the conditions will be the same, it's a tarmac that has not been resurfaced we're not sure how it's draining."