Formula One testing hit by snow

[February 28, 2018]    BARCELONA (Reuters) - Snow hit the third day of Formula One's pre-season testing on Wednesday, with no cars on track for the first two hours while the medical helicopter remained grounded in near-freezing temperatures.

F1 Formula One - Formula One Test Session - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmelo, Spain - February 28, 2018 Race control check the track surrounded by snow before testing REUTERS/Albert Gea

"You don't learn anything. We will never race in this circumstance, and the only thing you do is risk the car," commented Haas team principal Guenther Steiner.

"This being the first test of the season, we are lean on spares, and we cannot risk it. And at the moment it does not look much better on Thursday. It is getting warmer but still wet."

The first of two pre-season tests is due to end on Thursday, with the second at the Circuit de Catalunya next week. The season starts in Australia on March 25.

Teams have discussed adding a day on to the second test but have yet to decide.

"I am positive that next week will be better -- no rain, temperatures up to normal. And then you can do some work," Steiner told reporters.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by John O'Brien)

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