F1 teams to discuss moving Chinese GP to Saturday
Formula 1 teams are set to discuss with the FIA the idea of shifting the Chinese Grand Prix to Saturday in a bid to avoid Sunday's race being cancelled on weather grounds.
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Track action at the Shanghai circuit on Friday was extremely limited due to the medical helicopter being out of action because it could not land at the FIA's designated hospital in Shanghai.
The FIA's rules state that a session cannot continue if a medical helicopter nor an ambulance can get to the assigned hospital within approximately 20 minutes.
The preferred hospital in Shanghai is 38 kilometres away, which is too far away for the ambulance. An alternative medical facility is just 5km away, but even that is too difficult to reach within the allowed time because of bad local traffic.
With the facility impossible to reach within the 20-minute deadline, the FIA had no choice but to abandon running on Friday.
Better weather is predicted for Saturday, which should allow track action to get back underway without problem, but poor conditions are expected to return on Sunday.
With the prospect of track action being unable to take place on Sunday, one idea being considered is for both qualifying and the race to take place on Saturday.
The matter is set to be discussed at Friday night's drivers' briefing, which will be attended by team managers – and a change would require unanimous support from the teams.
The situation in China is further complicated because the event is a back-to-back with Bahrain, which means that it cannot be delayed until Monday because the freight needs to be shipped.
The FIA has played down the matter, however, insisting there is no plan to change the timetable in such a way.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Norris had no reason to apologise for F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Hamilton: Norris would have been better off conceding in Turn 1
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
Supercars New Zealand: Heimgartner splashes to Taupo opener victory
Norris had no reason to apologise for F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Hamilton: Norris would have been better off conceding in Turn 1
Leclerc: Sainz “over the limit” in F1 Chinese GP sprint race defending
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments