Second practice for the United States Grand Prix has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, which meant the medical helicopter was unable to take off.
Heavy rain had been forecast for Friday afternoon and it arrived 20 minutes prior to the start of the second session, forcing the FIA to cancel the 90-minute event.
A few minutes into the delayed session, race control issued the following message: “The start of P2 will be delayed indefinitely, marshals unable to work due to the proximity of lightning”.
However it was later deemed that it wouldn’t take place at all, with the FIA confirming running would be abandoned for the day.
“P2 is cancelled. No medical helicopter operations for the next two hours.”
The poor weather is due to continue through Saturday and raises into question whether third practice and indeed qualifying will take place.
Conditions are however due to improve on Saturday, which could see qualifying take place ahead of the race, something which has only happened on a few occasions.
