"A bit of a shame" - F2 Melbourne feature race cancelled due to wet conditions
Conditions were too dangerous to start the FIA Formula 2 feature race at the Australian Grand Prix.
MELBOURNE–The FIA Formula 2 feature race at the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Points were not awarded, to the disappointment of drivers, as the field did not complete the start procedure.
ART Grand Prix driver Victor Martins will still receive two points for pole position.
Intermittent bursts of heavy rain continued throughout the morning at the Albert Park circuit, however conditions are forecast to clear ahead of the Formula One grand prix.
"Unfortunately, we weren't able to race, on to the next one I guess," DAMS Lucas Oil driver Jak Crawford told raceweek.
"Flying out tonight, it's unfortunate to come all this way and not be able to race, but still, it's part of the game."
The F2 field completed a number of formation laps at the scheduled start time of 11.30am before the red flag fell on the session as rain intensified.
A further attempt to start was made just after 12pm but the decision was made to cancel the event shortly after.
“I feel sorry for the fans who wanted to see us race and also for our teams and drivers who came all the way to Melbourne, but safety takes precedence," said FIA Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel.
“We tried everything we could to make it happen, but ultimately, the track conditions were too dangerous, which the drivers confirmed over the radio, so the right call was to cancel."
"We focus now on Bahrain, which will take place on 11-13 of April.”
Aston Martin junior Jak Crawford and Red Bull driver Arvid Lindblad are among those flying out immediately after the race.
"A bit disappointed, but the weather conditions today were way too wet to race, so it was the right decision. But yeah, for sure, a bit of a shame to not be able to race," Lindblad told raceweek.
"I'm going back home tonight; I'm on the sim on Wednesday. So, I'll be back home and trying to get ready for the next race."
Paraguayan Joshua Dürksen leaves Melbourne in the lead of the standings after taking victory in the reverse-grid sprint race.
Dürksen takes 10 points from round one, followed by Leonardo Fornaroli and Luke Browning.
The FIA Formula 2 championship returns 11-13 April for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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