2017 Chinese GP second F1 practice session cancelled

2017 Chinese GP second F1 practice session cancelled. FP2 cancelled due to weather.

Friday did not turn out to be a positive day for the Formula 1 teams ahead of the 2017 Chinese GP, as the poor weather did not allow the possibility to run at the Shanghai International Circuit. After the first free practice session of the day was compromised heavily by two lengthy red flag periods, the same fate forced a delay to the start of the action for FP2 at Shanghai. Over an hour later, with the scheduled 3:30pm finishing time approaching, the inevitable decision was taken to abandon the second practice session, without any of the cars having appeared on the track.

Despite the fact the damp track conditions were fine for the cars, a lack of visibility meant it was not safe for the medical helicopter to operate if needed, thus forcing a halt to the proceedings. Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting explained the situation: “The helicopter can’t land at the hospital, which is about 38 kilometres away unfortunately. It looks reasonable here [at the circuit], I know, and there are helicopters flying here, but they can’t actually land in downtown Shanghai.”

Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will now have a very busy third practice session at the Shanghai International Circuit, in the hope of making up time and gathering as much information as possible in order to find the perfect set-up for the qualifying session and for the race on Sunday. But only of if the weather conditions improve, which for the moment does not seem to be the case.

2017 Chinese GP, Shanghai: records, statistics and race timetable