19:19 – The FIA has announced how the Formula 1 Grand Prix of the Eifel will proceed if the weather situation does not improve in the following days. The entire Friday fell into the water due to the dense fog around the Nürburgring.
On Friday, the first and second free practice sessions were first postponed and then canceled due to bad weather, which would prevent the medical helicopter from flying from the circuit to the hospital in Koblenz in time in the event of a serious accident. One of the requirements to be able to continue a session later is that a victim can be transported to hospital within twenty minutes, but due to the dense fog, this was not possible by helicopter on Friday and by ambulance, the hospital in Koblenz is too long to drive.
FIA race director Michael Masi said on Friday that his team was working on a plan B to allow the rest of the weekend to continue in similar weather conditions. That back-up plan is to transport a victim three kilometers by ambulance to a lower location, where it is less foggy, after which the rest of the ride would be done by helicopter. That procedure could be completed within the required twenty minutes.
Better weather is predicted for Saturday with less chance of rain and more chance of sun, but on Sunday the weather conditions seem to differ little from those of Friday.
Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said it was frustrating losing all Friday, but suspected that riders would not have covered many miles in the rain. “It is certainly a bit frustrating to miss a day like this,” said the Mercedes world champion. “But we might not have driven a lot as we are limited in the number of tires and it will be for the rest of the weekend [wat het weer betreft]. I would have liked to complete an installation lap, but the helicopter kept us inside. But that was the same for everyone. “
In collaboration with Luke Smith and Alex Kalinauckas
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