Formula 1: Continuous rain causes a long interruption in Suzuka

Status: 09.10.2022 08:08 a.m

Continuous rain has caused a long forced break in the Formula 1 race in Suzuka, Japan.

The red flag was waved shortly after the start, which resulted in an immediate interruption. 42 minutes later there was supposed to be a restart behind the safety car. However, since the situation did not improve and it continued to rain heavily, the return to the track was postponed again.

It remained unclear when the Grand Prix can continue near the Pacific coast. Cancellation is also possible.

Vettel spinner shortly after takeoff

There had already been a number of accidents on the first lap. Sebastian Vettel spun in the Aston Martin after being hit by Fernando Alonso in the Alpine. A short time later, Carlos Sainz came off the track in the second Ferrari. Pierre Gasly’s Alpha Tauri was hit by an advertising board and he quickly drove to the pits.

At first, racing on one of the favorite tracks of so many pilots was unthinkable. “The right decision,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner on Sky. “The view just doesn’t allow it,” emphasized McLaren’s German team boss Andreas Seidl: “We have to be happy that nothing more happened in the first lap.”

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