Russian Grand Prix final practice cancelled

Russian Grand Prix

Russian Grand Prix final practice cancelled

Heavy rainfall threatens the rest of Saturday's running

Ewan Gale

Saturday 25 September 2021 10:51 Updated: 11:42

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Final practice for the Russian Grand Prix has been cancelled due to torrential rainfall at the Sochi Autodrom.

Disruption has been expected all week with the forecast for inclement weather today, with the morning's F2 race postponed due to the conditions.

F1 qualifying has been given priority over the rest of the schedule, with F2 and F3 also on the timetable this weekend.

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FIA race director Michael Masi had said ahead of FP3 that the session would be cancelled if it was deemed obvious that the weather would not subside.

“The aim with FP3 would be, we would have a look at what it’s like," said Masi.

"We would have a couple of options. As we have seen a few times before, we could start the session and then red flag it immediately so let the clock run down and let’s judge what the weather is like at that point in time.

“Alternatively, if we can see that it is just going to be torrential for the entire session, we would just abandon FP3 and aim for qualifying.”

Qualifying is scheduled for 13:00 BST with the potential for a break in the weather arriving in the afternoon in Russia, but there is a chance the session could be run on Sunday.

F1 has "a clear Sunday"

F1 will be hoping to avoid a similar situation to the washout at Spa-Francorchamps last month.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1, 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill pointed to a clearer picture on Sunday as hope the schedule could be completed.

"At least we have got a clear Sunday," he said.

"It looks like on the weather forecast Sunday, we could actually pack in and Michael said it might be qualifying takes place then. It is a watching and waiting situation sadly."