Yas Marina, Race 2: Sprint race cancelled due to barrier damage

This afternoon’s sprint race at Yas Marina was cancelled due to substantial damage caused to the barriers after an accident on the first lap of the race. With the red flag shown on the first lap and the damage being unable to be repaired in time the event was closed, and no points will be awarded.

The race got underway in gloriously sunny conditions, with front row starters Alex Lynn and Rio Haryanto doing enough to hold position into turn one, followed by Racing Engineering teammates Jordan King and Alexander Rossi, but behind them Raffaele Marciello and Pierre Gasly touched, with the Frenchman tapped into a spin: compatriot Norman Nato was unable to avoid him and collected Sean Gelael, Daniel de Jong, Nicholas Latifi and Artem Markelov, while Arthur Pic tried to avoid the melee and found Sergey Sirotkin instead.

When the cars were removed the extent of the damage to the barriers was clear, and the repairs were unable to be effected in time to recommence the race. As a result no points could be awarded, leaving the title fights unchanged.

Stoffel Vandoorne is therefore crowned champion on 341.5 points ahead of vice champion Rossi on 181.5 with Sirotkin on 139, Haryanto on 138 and Mitch Evans on 135 points, while in the teams’ title ART Grand Prix are once again champions on 410 points ahead of Racing Engineering on 241.5 points, DAMS on 220, Campos Racing on 198 and RUSSIAN TIME on 183 points.