The final practice session for the 2021 Russian Grand Prix was cancelled as a result of the weather conditions, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in Sochi, which could change the start time of Saturday’s qualifying.
The third and final practice session was due to take place at 10am UK time but was called off before even getting started amid torrential morning weather. The opening F2 race was also postponed earlier on Saturday.
The qualifying session is still scheduled to take place at 1pm, although Formula 1 could change the time and delay that shootout depending on the conditions. The rain is expected to ease up through Saturday, giving hope for a wet and unpredictable qualifying.
If qualifying can not take place today, it will be held on Sunday morning before the race.
“From what we’ve seen from the forecast side is that we will have this level of rain until about 1.30pm local time (11.30am UK) and then decreasing in the afternoon,” said F1 race director Michael Masi – “The priority from today’s perspective is Formula 1 qualifying this afternoon – Formula 1 will take priority.”
He added: “Sunset locally is about 6.15pm (4.15pm UK), but with weather conditions like this light diminishes far earlier so that will ultimately be our cut off point. If qualifying isn’t able to happen today, as we ‘ve seen in the past we will hold qualifying on Sunday morning.” – he explained.
The last time the qualifying session took place on a Sunday morning was at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix, which was affected by a typhoon. Earlier this summer, the Belgian GP was abandoned after just two laps because of the weather.
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