Accident: Diesel spill delays F1 practice in Russian Federation

A diesel spillage from a cleaning truck forced organisers to shorten the first practice session, with Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg eventually ending up fastest.

The opening 90 minute session was reduced to an hour as workers hosed and cleansed the track following the “significant” spillage from a truck that had been supposed to sweep the asphalt.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton could only finish at the seventh place after a session that saw him avoiding any contact with the barriers.

Looking ahead to third practice and Saturday’s crucial qualifying session, Hamilton said: “I don’t have any concern about today as everyone is in the same boat so I hope that tomorrow and Sunday is better weather-wise”.

While Mercedes are staying cautious about their chances of wrapping up the title earlier than they are inevitably set to do, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel – victor of three races this year – is talking down his prospects of scoring another upset like in Singapore. Light rain also fell toward the end of the session.

“Thee was a diesel spill and it took us a few time to clean in – which caused the delay”. Fernando Alonso was the first driver to complete a series of laps on slicks, albeit with minimal traction in the middle sector as he negotiated the wet corners.

And with a little over 10 minutes left, Alonso was one of just four drivers who had posted a competitive lap – indeed it was his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button who headed the timesheets in the slippery conditions.

But as the affected areas of the track began to dry out, the rest of the pack emerged from their respective garages.

When it was all said and done Nico Hulkenberg had set the fastest time his Force India with a lap of 1:44.355.

The provisional 2016 calendar has scheduled Azerbaijan’s inaugural race on the same weekend as Le Mans, which Hulkenberg won with Porsche this year alongside New Zealander Earl Bamber and Briton Nick Tandy.