F2 Sprint Race called off due to weather concerns

The Formula 2 Sprint Race was called off after less than one racing lap after rain concerns.

After a delayed start, a Safety Car, a red flag, a formation lap, and another red flag, the Sprint Race was called off officially.

Rainy start

The rain was coming down heavily at the Zandvoort circuit by the time the race was scheduled to start. A rain delay wasn’t the only wrench thrown into the mix, as polesitter (and championship leader) Theo Pourchaire had an issue with his car and was forced to come into the pits to have it worked on.

As a result, the first driver off the line when the formation lap finally took place was Isack Hadjar, who qualified ninth yesterday and started from the second place grid spot.

By the time the formation lap started the rain had stopped, but the standing water on the track was still an issue. After just one formation lap, the Safety Car entered the pits and the Formula 2 Sprint Race was off with a rolling start.

Hadjar controlled the start and kept the lead going into Turn 1, despite a spirited challenge from Victor Martins. There were a couple corners of racing, in which Oliver Bearman jumped up into the podium positions, before Campos Racing’s Kush Maini made contact with tomorrow’s polesitter Jak Crawford.

Maini’s teammate Boschung was also caught up in the incident, his car landing on top of Maini’s, and the Safety Car was brought out. All three drivers were safe, but forced to retire from the race. A red flag came out not long after.

More rain!

After a lengthy red flag, the rain was starting to fall again. With no time to run all 29 laps originally set to take place, the timer began ticking down how much time was left before the end of the race.

Before the second rolling start could get underway, the drivers were called back into the pits for another red flag, this time due to the conditions.

With just 17 minutes to go and the clock not stopping for the red flag, the chances of getting any real running were running out.

And in fact, it wasn’t long before officials announced that the race would not be resumed due to the weather. No points will be awarded as less than one racing lap was completed.

The Formula 2 drivers will doubtless be hoping for better weather tomorrow, when they’ll line up for the Feature Race.

Feature Image Credit: Bryn Lennon – Getty Images