F1 Academy’s second race at the Miami International Autodrome did not get underway. Torrential and persistent downpour led to several laps behind the Safety Car, before the race start procedure was suspended. With a tight schedule, the race was cancelled.
Wet Formation Laps behind the Safety Car
Home favourite Chloe Chambers grabbed pole around the Miami International Autodrome for Sunday’s F1 Academy race. Alisha Palmowski and Doriane Pin rounded out the top 3 grid spots, while American Lia Block started an excellent fourth.
The second F1 Academy race in Miami commenced behind the safety car. However, with plenty of standing water on the circuit, and rain battering down, it would be a challenging outing for the grid of 18 drivers.
Saturday’s reverse grid pole sitter KICK Sauber junior Emma Felbermayr affirmed the challenge. The Austrian rookie locked up and went deep into the run-off at turn 17. McLaren junior Ella Lloyd joined her in the run-off.
Meanwhile, Nicole Havrda too spun into the long looping left hander of turn 6, veering into the run off area. Drivers were struggling to keep it on the track, with Alba Hurup Larsen just managing to stay on track in turn 17 on the first formation lap.
Felbermayr spun once again on the main straight. Taking part in her first Miami weekend, the Rodin Motorsport driver found it extremely difficult to get up to speed with the conditions.
Several onboards and trackside cameras revealed the extent of the spray, with visibility at a minimum. Drivers continued to circulate behind the safety car, with conditions not letting up so soon.
As the race panned on, it appeared as though the second F1 Academy race in Miami was heading towards a non-score. Leader Chloe Chambers received a radio message revealing heavier rain on the radar. Hitech’s Chloe Chong radioed of getting “a cold plunge” in her car, as the downpour only intensified.
Race cancelled amidst torrential race
With no let-up in the showers, the Race Control eventually called a red flag on proceedings. Further updates would be available at ten-minute intervals.
An estimated start time of 13:31 local time (17:31 GMT) provided a ray of hope to those expecting racing action. With no further rain on the radar, the omens for a race looked more optimistic.
F1 Academy returns in Montreal from June 13-15 for the Canadian round of the year.
