Final Russian GP practice cancelled due to rain, qualifying uncertain

Final practice for the Russian Formula One Grand Prix was cancelled due to heavy rain in Sochi on Saturday, with later qualifying uncertain and at risk of being postponed until Sunday.

Race stewards said in a statement that the decision had been taken for safety reasons and due to force majeure.

The session had been due to start at 1200 local time (0900 GMT) and qualifying at the Olympic Park is scheduled for 1500 local (1200 GMT).

A Formula Three race that was originally scheduled for Saturday morning was held on Friday and a Formula Two race was postponed.

“From what we are seeing from the forecast side ... we will have sort of this level of rain until about 1.30 to 2pm local time and then it decreasing in the afternoon,” said race director Michael Masi.

“The priority from today's perspective is obviously Formula One qualifying this afternoon, so Formula One will take priority.”

Masi said the light would be the determining factor in how late qualifying could be postponed until.

“Sunset locally is about 1815 ... but with weather conditions like this obviously (the) light diminishes far earlier,” he added.

“If qualifying isn't able to happen today, as we've seen a few times before in the past, then we will redo the programme and hold qualifying on Sunday morning.”