FIA working on "back-up plans" to ensure Saturday action
Formula 1 race director Michael Masi says that "back-up plans" are being formulated in order to ensure that the cars can run at Eifel Grand Prix on Saturday.
On a damp and foggy day, Friday's action at the Nurburgring was lost because the medical helicopter could not leave the track and land safely at the designated hospitals in the Koblenz area.
First practice did not start on time, and bulletins were issued at 30-minute intervals until it was announced that the session would be abandoned. The same pattern was repeated in FP2, and the day ended with no cars taking to the track.
At some venues cars can run without helicopter cover if what are known as "receiving" hospitals can be reached by road within a 20-minute window, but that is not the case at the Nurburgring and so the FIA had no option but to cancel track running.
Better weather conditions are expected tomorrow, but the FIA is hoping to ensure that poor visibility won't wipe out the day's action.
Masi would not be drawn on what the plans are.
"The forecast looks better, but we're also working on some back-up plans should we have a similar situation, to be able to try and work around." he said. "So we're working on those as we speak. We'll work on the back-up plans and then advise everyone accordingly at the same time."
In similar circumstances at the 2017 Chinese GP a hospital closer to the circuit – and within the 20-minute window of being reached by road – was upgraded by bringing in the neurological equipment that FIA protocols require.
The timing of medical evacuation is covered by Appendix H of the International Sporting Code, which states: "With the exception of a direct transfer to a severe burns treatment centre, the flight time necessary to reach each of the hospitals mentioned in the medical questionnaire for the competition and approved by the FIA medical delegate must not, in normal conditions, exceed approximately 20 minutes."
Related video
Previous article
Spa reveals €80m revamp as gravel traps return
Next article
Honda's F1 exit won't impact Tsunoda's future - Tost
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Eifel GP |
| Author | Adam Cooper |
Scuderia Ferrari Filming Day Backstage Footage
Back to Work | Valtteri Bottas' 2021 Seat Fit
F1 Explained | Mercedes Power Unit
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again
Ranked! Carlin's greatest F1 graduates
Carlin has helped guide enough drivers to Formula 1 to fill out an entire grid, plus a handful of reserves, to create a remarkable alumni list. With Yuki Tsunoda set to join that group, Motorsport.com has ranked its graduates to grace the grand prix scene...
Why Alfa's 2021 launch says more about its 2022 plans
Alfa Romeo launched its C41 with a revised front nose, but there's little to suggest it will surge up the leaderboard in 2021. As the team frankly admits, it's putting its eggs in the basket labelled 2022 and hoping to hold the eighth place it earned last year
Why Gasly’s AlphaTauri haven is a blessing and a curse
Red Bull opted not to re-sign Pierre Gasly even before it decided to drop Alex Albon and so the Frenchman's Formula 1 journey will continue at AlphaTauri. This has positive and negative connotations for one of last season's star performers.
