The second race of the F1 Academy Qatar round at the Lusail International Circuit has been cancelled after a lengthy delay.
The 16 F1 Academy drivers lined up on the Lusail grid under shining sunny skies ahead of the originally planned 14:00 (local time) race start.
However, barrier damage from a Porsche support race brought about the need for significant repairs.
Time then became tight to get Race 2 of F1 Academy underway with the FIA Formula 2 Race slated for 15:20 local time.
After an approximate 30-minute wait, race organisers made the decision nobody wanted to see, calling the race off.
The cancellation prevents newly crowned champion Abbi Pulling from contesting her first race as the title winner.
Moreover, it robs Mercedes’ Doriane Pin of the chance to claim a victory double.
It is the first time a race has been cancelled in the 2024 F1 Academy campaign, but the grid of all-female drivers has one more round to put on a show.
F1 Academy will appear alongside Formula 1 next weekend at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
READ MORE – Doriane Pin wins Race 1 in Qatar as Abbi Pulling takes F1 Academy title
