F1 bracing for Sunday qualifying as storm hits Red Bull Ring
Formula 1 is bracing itself for a potential Sunday qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, as the expected storm rolled in to the Red Bull Ring on Saturday morning.
The FIA and teams have been well aware of the incoming bad weather, and had already discussed different scenarios if Saturday’s track action cannot go ahead.
The downpour duly hit the Red Bull Ring shortly before the F3 race on Saturday, with the event eventually abandoned after 14 laps with conditions deemed too unsafe to continue.
F1's final free practice was initially delayed for an indefinite period of time, before it was cancelled altogether.
Current forecasts indicate that the rain will not ease until the late afternoon, which could leave F1 unable to run qualifying.
The first option should qualifying not be able to run today is to slot a session in on Sunday morning, which is now looking possible with the forecasts for race day improving.
F1 race director Michael Masi said on Saturday evening that fears of even Sunday morning being a washout had eased.
“Earlier in the day it looked like Sunday morning was not going to be great either,” he said. “But that looks to have cleared up.”
Should today’s action not take place, and F1 is unable to run a qualifying session on Sunday morning, then the grid would be set by the second free practice times from Friday.
That would put Max Verstappen on pole position ahead of Valtteri Bottas.
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
George Russell after rejuvenating Baku win: "It would have been very easy for me to lose the faith"
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong" for Ferrari in Fuji WEC
Wins v. big picture dominate Truck Series Chase discourse after Kansas
Jorge Martin “made us feel wanted” amid current MotoGP struggles, says Yamaha boss
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Baku late-race chaos almost costs George Russell victory over Max Verstappen
How George Russell claimed his career-best pole margin in F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifying
How the chase to catch Mercedes is unfolding
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