Abandonment in melbourne: rain stops f1 qualifier

abandonment in melbourne: rain stops f1 qualifier

A series of accidents and delays forced the race organizers to make the following decision. "It’s a real pity, I’m sure we could have finished right at the front," said mercedes driver nico rosberg. The 27-year-old topped the time table after round one.

Three-time world champion sebastian vettel in the red bull, clean newcomer nico hulkenberg and force india returnee adrian sutil also escaped the chaos unscathed. All four germans thus retained their chance of a good starting position for sunday’s opening race (7:00 a.M.), as did the field of other world championship favorites led by ferrari star fernando alonso.00 hrs CET). Six hours before the qualification (1.00 a.M. CET) will be made up for.

The last time a qualifying event was not held until sunday was in 2010 in japan, when heavy rain was also to blame. In melbourne, the weather had finally changed by midday on saturday after days of heat. It was already raining during the final practice session. The beginning of the K.O.-the decision for the best starting places was postponed already three times.

With brooms, numerous helpers tried to free the asphalt from plasters. "It’s a pity that it starts like this right away," said the new head of mercedes motorsport, toto wolff, looking up at the dark gray sky. With a half hour delay, the race commissioners finally turned off the red lights.

But in the difficult conditions, many drivers struggled to keep their cars on the track. Lewis hamilton’s silver arrow slid into the track barrier and slightly damaged his rear wing. "It was quite difficult out there, a lot of aquaplaning. This route is unbelievably dangerous," explained the briton. Felipe massa lost the front wing of his ferrari in an accident, the same happened to clean newcomer esteban gutierrez and the caterham duo giedo van der garde and charles pic.

In the end, four of the five formula 1 rookies were eliminated: gutierrez, van der garde, max chilton and jules bianchi. And the rain got heavier again. Race director charlie whiting also reported with a worried expression about "many muffins on the track". And so the waiting began again, again the start had to be postponed three times. The test of patience lasted 55 minutes, then the race line finally broke down. "We made this decision to end the agony for everyone," whiting said.

The weather was forecast to improve on sunday, but the teams were bracing themselves for more showers. Rosberg also feared a lack of sleep. "The most difficult thing is that it is a complete time change again. I used to go to bed late, at half past one or one o’clock, and get up at ten o’clock," explained the optional monegasque. But it will certainly be possible to find a wake-up call.