There is a little rain around in Melbourne ahead of the first race weekend of the year.
But it’s not likely to have too great an effect on the track action. Most forecasts indicate a chance of light rain in the morning on Friday or Saturday.
Last year’s race started on a damp circuit which dried throughout the Grand Prix.
Weather radars on Thursday showed a band of rain passing to the south of Melbourne with some rain falling at the track:
Air temperatures will be in the high teens nudging up to 20C.
As has been the case for the last two years, the race will start at 5pm local time. That is despite the objection of some drivers, who are unhappy with the low light levels and glare which develops as the race goes on.
With no artificial lighting at the circuit, any significant delay in the race would put it at risk of not going the distance.
If you’re in the area and can give us any further reliable updates on the weather, please do so in the comments.
Albert Park circuit location
2011 Australian Grand Prix
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Image © Force India F1 Team
Icthyes (@icthyes)
24th March 2011, 7:37
This is rare for me to say, but please no rain! The new rules and the circuit itself will be good enough to see some excitement, save the rain for Catalunya ;)
Sush Meerkat
24th March 2011, 7:47
The drivers need rain during Free Practise though, it gives them a good excuse as to why they performed badly during the race.
“because it rained we couldn’t get the balance of the car right”.
Todfod (@todfod)
24th March 2011, 9:54
You just gave Jenson a new excuse, or at least half a new excuse.
alexf1man
24th March 2011, 14:31
Definitly Icthyes :)
Lamo2741
24th March 2011, 7:46
I agree . . . Just let this race be dry so we can see the affect of the new rules!
mike77 (@mike77)
24th March 2011, 21:36
Every year, this is one of the only races that I actually don’t mind being a dry race, as there is usually always exciting races at melbourne. Save the rain for Catalunya and Hungary
Pink Pirelli
24th March 2011, 7:52
Weather was pretty poxy today actually, but all reports indicate that it will improve over the weekend.
BasCB (@bascb)
24th March 2011, 9:04
Sounds good. To cold and wet to do the perfect setup on friday, making it a bit unpredictable as well.
Then qualli in the dry. Looking forward to it.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
24th March 2011, 8:16
Well if we dove a damp track I guess this would give the drivers a bit more life in the tyres?
slr
24th March 2011, 8:44
I don’t want it to rain, I thought the race looked beautiful in the sunset in 2009.
vjanik
24th March 2011, 9:06
we will have plenty of dry races this year, and plenty of opportunities to see how the new rules effect the racing in normal conditions.
rain would make this race a complete lottery and an exciting spectacle. plus its the only chance McLaren have of winning in Melbourne.
Stephen Jones (@aus_steve)
24th March 2011, 10:17
news report from the track:
.. its wet
Danne_V
24th March 2011, 11:05
Pretty wet today (part of day). The list of countries I have been freezing in has now a new member….
DanThorn
24th March 2011, 11:07
Please, no rain! We’ve been waiting months to see the pecking order and a wet race will only prolong that. Ok, so a dry race probably wont give us a total representation of the cars’ relative performace as it’s so soon in the season but it’ll give us more of an idea than a wet one.
Aus is always an exciting race anyway – save the rain for duller circuits like Catalunya and Shanghai.
MattHT (@mattht)
24th March 2011, 12:13
Showers!? Not good enough – get the sprinklers on.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
24th March 2011, 13:12
A couple of oil slicks and the odd banana skin? ;)
Julian
24th March 2011, 14:02
Green turtle shells! :D
Matt Pepprell
24th March 2011, 21:17
Don’t forget the rocket boost xD!
David-A (@david-a)
24th March 2011, 22:01
Can’t wait to see Renault use their Gold Mushroom!
V8Mate (@v8mate)
24th March 2011, 13:07
Was awful weather today if it was to be like this race day there is no way the race would go full distance it would simply be too dark by half race or around 6pm local time, need it to be clear so as its light for long enough. thankfully all reports are that it will be finr for race day,
i do think wet races are exciting but would hate to see the first race for the year canned because the drivers cant see. They should have left the race at 2pm. ah well
temple (@temple)
24th March 2011, 14:02
I`m a local and there isn`t much rain forecast.In fact they have forecast showers every day so far this week but I haven`t got wet yet.There may be a light sprinkling here or there but more nuisance value than anything else.
ivz
24th March 2011, 14:04
No rain forecast for Sunday. But Friday and Saturday will get showers. Set up during practice is going to be a pain, and quali could be one where the track is drying through out.
roberttty (@roberttty)
24th March 2011, 15:21
it’s 4 seasons in a day in Melbourne – the forecasts are useless
Rooney
24th March 2011, 15:31
chance of light rain in the morning
on Friday on Saturday.. A typo here?? probably “and or “or”..Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
24th March 2011, 15:38
Fixed, thanks Rooney.
Ninjenius
24th March 2011, 17:44
“Weather radars on Tursday…” Are you trying to perfect you Irish impression by any chance, Keith? :D
Insightful article as always. Hopefully your typing fingers will be able to catch up with all the excitement the 2011 should bring!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
24th March 2011, 17:49
Fixed it, thanks.
OmarR-Pepper (@)
24th March 2011, 18:28
When it comes about rain, that sometimes spoils the race. Remember Korea? The beginning was infinetely LONG and the light was almost out at the end. Last year in Australia drivers complained about the way the sunset affected their “points of reference”, the shadows confused some pilots. I know Europe is the big F1 market but Bernie should make sure the race time doesn’t end in a bad race because of poor light. And don’t forget it was almost the same in Japan last yaer, when quali was lost for the rain and the incoming afternoon