Imola preview for F1 after entire Eifel Friday wiped out

Eifel Grand Prix

Imola preview for F1 after entire Eifel Friday wiped out

Persistent fog prevented medical helicopter from flying

Ian Parkes

Friday 9 October 2020 16:05

Formula 1 was forced to cancel all of Friday's running ahead of the Eifel Grand Prix due to poor weather conditions around the Nürburgring.

For both 90-minute FP1 and FP2 sessions, persistent mist and fog prevented the medical helicopter from flying

FIA regulations dictate that the nearest hospital must be within a 20-minute drive of any circuit. In the case of the Nürburgring, the closest facility is based in Koblenz, 45 minutes away.

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That dictates the medical helicopter becomes the main source of transport should an incident arise in which a driver requires urgent assistance that cannot be handled at the track medical centre.

Confirming the circumstances, FIA race director and safety delegate Michael Masi said: "Dampness is fine, it's just that the medical helicopter is not able to fly to the receiving hospitals due to fog.

"So even though we have the broadcast helicopter that's flying only around the circuit to go from here to any of the hospitals should something happen, it's not possible and therefore from a safety perspective we can't start the sessions."

Although the forecast for Saturday is for brighter weather, albeit with further rain and fog forecast for Sunday, Masi has confirmed the FIA is working on contingencies.

"The forecast looks better, but we are also working on some back-up plans should there be a similar situation to be able to try and work around, so we are working on developing those," added Masi.

The situation effectively turns this weekend's race into a two-day event, as will occur for the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola on October 31-November 1.

On that occasion, F1 has been forced to operate a two-day weekend due to the distance involved in transportation from the previous weekend's race in Portimão on the Algarve.

For Imola, F1 will run a single practice session followed by qualifying on Saturday, with the main event naturally on Sunday. The Eifel Grand Prix now faces the same situation.

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