China FP1 halted, medical helicopter unable to operate

The first Formula 1 practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix has been subject to a lengthy red flag displays after low visibility and poor weather conditions prevented the medical helicopter from operating.

FP1 kicked off at 10am local time at the Shanghai International Circuit, only to be suspended after just four minutes, with 10 drivers getting out to complete a single installation lap each.

Before anyone could begin their full practice programme, officials threw a red flag after it was confirmed that the medical helicopter was unable to operate.

Race control soon confirmed that "the medical helicopter is not able to land at the hospital in Shanghai", with a delay of at least 30 minutes following.

Though action did eventually get underway, the session was stopped again with little more than 30mins on the clock, with the FIA communicating that the severity of the foggy conditions meant that even the nearest airport had also been shut to landing airplanes.

Max Verstappen headed up the FP1 timesheets but no driver set representative lap times in the short track time permitted

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