FIA changes F1 contingency plan to avoid repeat of inaction at Eifel GP

The FIA has altered its medical contingency plan in a bid to avoid a repeat of Friday’s inaction and lack of Formula 1 running at the Eifel Grand Prix.

F1 drivers were unable to take to the track on Friday after both practice sessions were abandoned with poor weather conditions preventing the medical helicopter from taking off and flying to the nearest hospital safely.

After Friday’s running was curtailed, F1 race director Michael Masi said the FIA were formulating “back-up plans” to ensure the rest of the weekend’s scheduled action would not be impacted by any adverse weather.

Under FIA rules, transfers to “receiving” hospitals must be completed within a mandatory 20-minute window by road in the event of helicopters being grounded.

The contingency plan will see a “meet” point landing area created around 3km away from the Nurburgring, where casualties could be transported to by ambulance and then transferred to the designated hospital in Koblenz by air within the required timeframe.

It was confirmed by the FIA on Saturday morning ahead of the final practice session, which is due to begin at 12:00pm local time.

“In the event of a repeat of yesterday's weather conditions, we have created a landing area about 3km from the circuit allowing a circuit ambulance and a helicopter to meet outside of the stratus zone (essentially at a lower altitude where the thick fog/clouds generally don't form),” an FIA spokesperson said.

“The helicopter would then be able to transfer a patient to the hospital within the required time.”

Drivers were briefed on details of the new procedures on Friday evening after both practice sessions were cancelled due to fog.

Weather conditions are expected to have improved in time for qualifying and the race on Sunday, with clear skies greeting the F1 paddock at the Nurburgring on Saturday morning.