Fog prevents track running in second Chinese GP practice

Heavy fog in Shanghai prevented track running in the second Formula 1 practice session for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix as the medical helicopter was unable to land at the local hospital.

Poor weather conditions in Shanghai through FP1 led to the majority of the session being red flagged, although a few drivers were able to get out and complete some laps, with Max Verstappen posting the fastest time.

While conditions over the Shanghai International Circuit had improved ahead of second practice, the medical helicopter was still unable to land at the hospital, leading to the session being suspended minutes before it was due to start.

"At the moment it can't land at the hospital which is about 38 km away unfortunately," F1 race director Charlie Whiting explained during the session. "It looks reasonable here, I know, and there are helicopters flying here, but they can't actually land at the airport which is downtown Shanghai.

"We're getting news from the airport which is also affected by the low cloud, we're getting news every 10 minutes. We're just keeping up with that."

A long wait followed as the minutes ticked down, but despite circuit officials being in regular contact with the hospital in downtown Shanghai, conditions did not improve enough to allow any running to take place.

As a result, race control confirmed with 13 minutes to go that the session would not start, bringing Friday's planned running to an early end.

The 20-strong grid will now head into Saturday's final practice session with limited track time - no driver has completed more than eight laps - and still in the dark about Pirelli's wet compounds as many expect a rain-affected race on Sunday.

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