Opening practice for Formula 1’s Eifel Grand Prix was called off due to the weather conditions at the Nurburgring.
Rain throughout the morning was accompanied by increasing fog, which meant the medical helicopter was unable to land at Koblenz Hospital if it was required.
As the nearest hospital is over 20 minutes away by road, medical helicopter availability is mandatory.
The FIA issued half-hourly updates on the situation, before at midday local time declaring that conditions were not going to improve sufficiently for any running to take place.
“It’s just the nature of the area, the fog’s come in and been going up and down slightly,” said FIA race director Michael Masi.
“From the FIA’s perspective the safety of the drivers going out is paramount and that’s not something we will compromise.”
The loss of practice one means Ferrari proteges Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will have to wait for their grand prix weekend debuts.
They had been due to run for Alfa Romeo and Haas respectively as Ferrari continues to assess them.
