The second race of the F1 Academy in Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit faced a significant setback as it was cancelled after a prolonged delay. Under the brilliant sunny skies, the 16 F1 Academy drivers were all set to line up on the Lusail grid, ready to start the originally planned 14:00 (local time) race. However, barrier damage from a Porsche support race necessitated extensive repairs, leaving little time to get Race 2 of F1 Academy underway before the FIA Formula 2 Race at 15:20 local time. After an approximate 30-minute wait, the race organisers were left with the difficult decision to call off the race, a decision that no one wanted to see.Impact on the Championship
This cancellation prevented the newly crowned champion, Abbi Pulling, from competing in her first race as the title winner. It also deprived Mercedes' Doriane Pin of the opportunity to achieve a double victory. It is the first time a race has been called off during the 2024 F1 Academy campaign. Despite this setback, the grid of all-female drivers still has one more round to showcase their skills.Next Weekend's Finale
F1 Academy will be making a grand appearance alongside Formula 1 next weekend at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. This provides an opportunity for the drivers to redeem themselves and leave a lasting impression. The drivers will be looking to end the season on a high note and make the most of this final opportunity.Lessons Learned
Such a cancellation serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that can arise in motorsport. It highlights the importance of meticulous planning and contingency measures. The teams and organisers will need to learn from this experience and ensure that similar situations are avoided in the future. They will need to work together to improve safety and ensure the smooth running of future races.Driver Perspectives
The drivers themselves will be reflecting on this cancellation and its implications. For Abbi Pulling, it is a disappointment to miss out on the first race as the champion. However, she will be looking forward to the next round and using this setback as motivation. Doriane Pin, on the other hand, will be eager to make up for the lost opportunity and prove her mettle. Each driver will have their own thoughts and feelings about the cancellation, and they will be using this as a learning experience to grow as racers.>
