FIA reveals back-up plan to avoid Saturday wash-out

The FIA has put together a back-up plan to ensure that running at the Eifel Grand Prix is not impaired by weather conditions on Saturday.

Friday's sessions were cancelled by the rain and fog that rendered F1's medical helicopter inoperable, preventing it to eventually to Koblenz's hospital in the event of an accident.

Appendix H of the FIA's sporting code for F1 requires the mandatory presence of a medical helicopter at all events capable of flying within a 20-minute window to an event's designated hospital.

• Read also: FP2 call-off washes out first day of Eifel GP running

To prevent any further disruption to this weekend's proceedings, the FIA has devised a plan that would evacuate any casualties from the Nürburgring by road over a distance of 3km, after which a helicopter - located in an area less impacted by mist or fog - would complete the remaining distance to Koblenz.

Forecasts are calling for an improvement of conditions on Saturday, but Sunday's weather at the Nürburgring could be similar to Friday's setting, a prospect that worried Red Bull's Alex Albon.

"I'm a bit worried, because Sunday was supposed to be similar today," Albon said. "If it's like that, then we'll need to see what happens."

Williams' Nicholas Latifi felt particularly sorry for the German fans in the grandstands that braved the conditions on Friday.

"I feel sorry for all the fans who were out in the cold and wet waiting for us to get some on track action, but that’s how it goes sometimes," said the Canadian.

"Hopefully the conditions will be better tomorrow and we can make up for it."

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