F1 Eifel GP Live Updates - Friday practice
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By: Jake Boxall-Legge
Summary
Status: Stopped
But with no track running for today it is time to wrap this up until tomorrow morning when FP3 should, we hope, start at 11AM BST (12PM local time). Between now and then we'll keep you updated with the latest news and views from the paddock but for now we'll wish you a pleasant Friday afternoon!
It hasn't been the Friday practice anyone expected and it will ramp up the uncertainties heading into the Eifel GP given all the teams currently have no data to dig through tonight - unless they stretch the memory banks back to 2013.
Race director Masi is also optimistic for the rest of the weekend: "The forecast looks better, but we’re also working on some back-up plans should we have a similar situation. So we’re working on those as we speak."
So, no running at all on Friday at the Nurburgring. It is disappointing for everyone involved, especially the fans that were allowed into the circuit, but it isn't the end of the world. Saturday's weather looks a little better so we can try again tomorrow.
It is the news we feared. The pit exit will not open for this session so that means FP2 is also cancelled.
After missing out on F1 FP1 running this morning, Ferrari has confirmed it is likely both Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will get their practice running in December's Abu Dhabi GP: 
Race director Michael Masi on the current situation: “We are hopeful, obviously as we saw with FP1 this morning we are hoping the fog will lift, we have seen it coming in and out all day, so that’s why we’ve been using the 30-minute updates. Fingers crossed but I can’t promise anything.”
To fill the time between the next FP2 update, why not check out this feature on a certain F1 driver's historic podium at the Nurburgring back in 2013: 
Good to see the F1 drivers keeping themselves entertained. Grosjean is live streaming on Twitch while Norris and Russell are exchanging messages on Twitter. What a time we are having.
He didn't get any running this morning but Mick Schumacher was on the F1 timing screen for FP1. Here's his reaction from his not-the-FP1 run: 
Well, this isn't how anyone hoped Friday practice at the Nurburgring would go. Wet and cold conditions, sure, they were expected for this time of year, but no track running so far wasn't part of the plan.
It is indeed the update we feared - no change in the weather so no FP2 running yet and the next update will be provided in 30 minutes.
Toto Wolff has taken a stroll down the pitlane and stopped for a chat with Sebastian Vettel, Mick Schumacher and what looks like Sebastian's father Norbert - it is hard to tell as he's wrapped up under a baseball cap, mask and a big jacket. The cold weather and COVID-19 protocols are really challenging our eyesight this weekend.
F1 isn't facing the need to change its Eifel GP schedule just yet, weather permitting of course, and last year's Japanese GP will be a handy guide if any late schedule switches are required due to the poor weather.
That weekend Suzuka was hit by Typhoon Hagibis which forced the cancellation of Saturday's action. FP3 was canned entirely with qualifying held on Sunday morning after the typhoon had passed.
With F1 facing the possibility of a complete washout today, it is worth noting it isn't the first time this has happened. In fact, it is almost a whole year to the day since this situation occurred, when Saturday's action was cancelled at the 2019 Japanese GP.
Mercedes also confirmed a second team member has tested positive for COVID-19 this weekend which has forced some changes to its team personnel for the Eifel GP: 
As there's time to fill before any FP2 action is likely, let's catch up on a few talking points from the lunch break. The F1 team boss press conference took place at the Nurburgring with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff ruling out the German manufacturer supplying power units to Red Bull and AlphaTauri from 2022 following Honda's planned exit: 
This is when FP2 should be turning to green flag conditions but given the weather that won't be happening for at least 30 minutes... and even then we'll be lucky going by the forecast for this afternoon.
Not that it really matters at this stage, but track conditions are wet and cold. The track temperature is currently 13.3oC, to be accurate, with the air temperature creeping over 10oC. Best to mention it because we know how much F1 loves weather chat.
What will happen is the FP2 90-minute countdown clock will start on time and as planned but no track running will be allowed until conditions improve and the medical chopper can take to the sky.
To be more accurate, the reason FP2 won't start on time is because the medical helicopter cannot fly in the current conditions, so it is not safe to start the session - that was the same situation F1 faced this morning when FP1 was canned.
Good afternoon! We always like to start on a positive but unfortunately it is bad news from the Nurburgring. FP2, due to begin in just under 15 minutes, won't be starting on time due to poor weather conditions.
So neither Schumacher or Ilott crashed in their maiden sessions. That's good. But FP1 is cancelled. That's bad. It comes with a free frogurt. That's good. The frogurt is also cursed. That's bad.
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