Although Wehrlein was certified as fit to take part in the Grand Prix ahead of the first practice session, he withdrew as a precaution, citing the increased physical demands of the 2017 specification of cars and the lack of sustained running during pre-season testing as compromising his ability to complete a full race distance.
Aínda que Wehrlein foi certificado como apto para participar no Gran Premio antes da primeira sesión de práctica, retirouse como medida de precaución, citando as maiores esixencias físicas que requiren as novas especificacións dos coches de 2017 e a falta dun adestramento sostido durante as probas de pretempada comprometían a súa capacidade para completar a distancia completa da carreira.