Formula 1 abandoned opening practice for the Eifel Grand Prix due to restrictive weather conditions at the Nürburgring.
The circuit is located in the Eifel mountain range and is susceptible to inclement conditions, heightened at this event due to its late running in the year.
Overcast and wet weather has remained at the venue throughout Friday, with temperatures peaking at 11c, and as a result the medical helicopter has been unable to fly.
At some events the designated medical facility is within close proximity by road but at the Nürburgring this is located in Bonn, around 60-70km away, which would exceed the stipulated limit.
The session clock started at 11:00 local time but the pit exit was not opened by Race Control, which advised further updates would be given at 30-minute intervals.
At 11:30 nothing had changed and at 12:00 the conditions had not improved sufficiently to allow running to commence.
Race Control confirmed that pit exit would remain closed for the duration of the session.
Rain fell throughout the planned session time and on occasion the mist was so low-lying that several parts of the track were obscured from view.
“The medical helicopter is not able to take off and fly to the hospital, the distance by road is far too far should something occur,” said Formula 1 Race Director Michael Masi.
“The fog has come in and been going up slightly, then coming down more dramatically, from an FIA perspective the safety is paramount and that is not something we will compromise.”
It meant that Ferrari-backed juniors Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott were not able to make their planned FP1 debuts with Alfa Romeo and Haas respectively.
Second practice is scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time though conditions are not expected to improve.
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