Chinese GP: Shanghai smog, wet weather frustrates drivers

Hamilton, Vettel didn’t even lay rubber as practice aborted

SHANGHAI: China's notoriously murky air prevented a full running of the Chinese Grand Prix's practice sessions Friday in a frustrating day for drivers and fans in Shanghai.

Smog and damp weather combined to cut short morning practice and forced the cancellation of the afternoon running without title hopefuls Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel ever laying rubber.

So, what REALLY happens in those Friday night @F1​ driver meetings?@LewisHamilton​ & @ValtteriBottas​ spill the beans on the way there... pic.twitter.com/xUUzPUkS93

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 7, 2017

The problem wasn't even at the track -- Formula One said the race's medical helicopter would have been barred from landing at designated hospitals due to Chinese rules on flight visibility.

A local airport in the area even had to be closed, the FIA noted. Air quality in Shanghai was in the "unhealthy" range, according to readings put out by the American Consulate in the city.

If at first you don't succeed... 😂#ChineseGP #F1 @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/dl9Jt0SCPl

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 7, 2017

There was no immediate announcement on whether the situation could affect the race schedule, although further poor weather was expected this weekend. Hamilton, though, has already suggested tearing up the current format to squeeze the race into the remaining two days.

"Saturday program: three practice sessions, qualifying Sunday morning and then race. Who's down for the switch up?" he tweeted.

The three-time world champion, who alleviated some of the boredom by running over to the vast main grandstand to throw signed baseball caps to screaming fans, added: "Seriously though, this could actually be a blessing in disguise. A chance for new bosses to be proactive and be creative."

.@LewisHamilton knows how to make the best of a grey day 👍#ChineseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/5EjoKI5JXV

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 7, 2017

More than half the drivers got a crack at the boggy circuit during a curtailed morning running, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull getting around the quickest. But the situation delayed the hotly anticipated resumption of hostilities between Mercedes and Ferrari.

Hamilton and defending champions Mercedes have vowed to bounce back after their wake-up call in the season opener in Melbourne two weeks ago, where Vettel steered his Ferrari to a commanding victory.

Forlorn drivers sat in the pits or in their cars Friday as they waited to see whether the afternoon's practice would ever get under way before time eventually ran out. Drivers will have a final chance at practice on Saturday before afternoon qualifying -- if the air clears up.

👀 A Shanghai spin this morning for @HulkHulkenberg#FP2 scheduled in ONE HOUR ⌛️#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/EsqB38bEgJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 7, 2017

Times were slow as teams ran full wets during the short Friday session. It was treacherous going for Kevin Magnussen of Haas, who spun out twice, and Renault's Nico Hulkenberg beached his car on a gravel embankment and had to abandon it.

Hamilton recalled the "wheel-to-wheel" battles of his go-cart driving days, saying Thursday that he looked forward to a season-long fight with Vettel. "I yearn for those kinds of battles," said the Briton. "I'm dying for that day to come again and I hope that happens with me and Sebastian."

🚩RED FLAG 🚩Poor visibility grounds the medical helicopter forcing a suspension of track action #ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #F1 pic.twitter.com/x4KqgW45S8

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 7, 2017

Ferrari have shown impressive early pace, with 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen taking fourth in Australia and signs pointing to another tight battle between the two top teams in China.

Newly introduced wider cars and fatter tyres of 2017 appeared to make overtaking harder in Melbourne, but Shanghai's longer stretches could make for more lead changes.