F1

Bad weather in Sochi: priority for F1

While poor weather conditions have already led to the postponement of the first F2 race this Saturday, race management is giving priority to the premier category in Russia.

Published on 25/09/2021 à 10:49

Gonzalo Forbes

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Bad weather in Sochi: priority for F1

The rain causes the change of program for Saturday in Russia. © DPPI/X. Bonilla

As announced by the weather radars this week, rain broke out this Saturday morning above the Stochi Autodrome. Without waiting too long, the race management made the decision to postpone the opening of the pit lane for the first race of F2 before finally postpone it until later without specifying a fixed time.

As the third free practice session approaches Formula 1 (scheduled for 11:00 a.m. French time), Michael Masi wanted to provide an update on the situation and the rest of the day. “ We aim to start all sessions and be operationally ready, specifies the FIA ​​race director. It will be necessary to judge the evolution of climatic conditions. From what we have seen in the latest forecasts, this level of rain will last until 13:30 p.m./14 p.m. (12:30 p.m./13:00 p.m. French time) and will then decrease. Formula 1 qualifying is the priority and we will then restructure the rest of the program (F2 races and F3. Editor’s note). We will go step by step ».

Free Practice 3 has already been canceled due to rain. The main priority of the race management, qualifying now only depends on the evolution of the sky and especially on the rescheduling of the day since night falls quite early at this time of year. “ The determining factor this afternoon will be visibility and brightness, continues the FIA ​​race director. Sunset occurs around 18:15 p.m. (17:15 p.m. French time) in Sochi at this time. But with such climatic conditions, the brightness will decrease much sooner. If the qualifications cannot take place, we will organize them on Sunday morning, as we have been able to do in the past ». 

“Although conditions on the runway have improved, weather conditions remain unfavorable in the region, affecting the airport and road network.” The weather is expected to improve further in the coming hours, but neither the F2 nor the F3 cars will race before a possible Formula 1 qualifying session.

As the day continues, race management has announced the rescheduling of the promotional formula weekend. Race 1 of F2 was scheduled for 15:45 p.m. (French time) while Race 2 was simply canceled, just like that of F3. The Main Race will take place at 10:20 a.m. (French time) and F3 Race 3 at 8:55 a.m. (French time).

Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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