Rain likely at German GP weekend
7th July 2009, 19:54 by Keith Collantine 32 Comments »
The last Grand Prix at the Nürburgring was hit by heavy rain and we could be in for a repeat this weekend.
Several weather sites are reporting a strong chance of rain at some point over the weekend, with race day looking the most likely to see wet conditions.
Weather Underground rates the chance of rain on Sunday at 50%. But qualifying on Saturday has only a 20% likelihood of being run in wet weather. Friday practice is also likely to see rainfall.
Although it is quite early to be making such a precise prediction, Weather2 says the track will be hit by 5.4mm of rain after noon on race day.
When F1 last raced at the track two years ago a huge downpour fell as the race began. The Grand Prix had to be suspended, but not before Spyker’s Markus Winkelhock had jumped into the lead by taking the gamble of starting on wet weather tyres.
The Nürburgring is notorious for its temperamental weather and has seen rain-affected races in 1995, 1999, 2000 and 2007.
We’ve already had wet races in Malaysia and China this year, and on both occasions Red Bull proved to have a very strong car in the rain.
TommyB said on 7th July 2009, 19:57
Yes!! Not had a good race since China and hopefully a wet race well suit the Red Bull’s
Spud said on 7th July 2009, 20:00
Good. The rain will spice things up a bit.
Gman said on 7th July 2009, 20:11
If it’s anything like the last race in the rain in 2007, should be a good one
TommyB said on 8th July 2009, 10:15
Markus Winklehock FTW!
Striay said on 7th July 2009, 20:15
The Last race of 2007 is my favorite ever Formula 1 race up until now! Hope we can have a repeat of 2007 again this year with Ferrari winning!
Casino Square said on 7th July 2009, 20:41
When was the last time there was a wet race which wasn’t any good? I’ve been following F1 since about 1998, and I can’t think of a single dull wet GP in that time.
Keith Collantine said on 7th July 2009, 20:54
Fuji ’07 wasn’t great, too much time spent behind the safety car. And Malaysia was a bit of a damp squib this year what with the race being stopped early.
persempre said on 7th July 2009, 21:47
It’s a bit sad when we have to hope for bad weather to see any action, isn’t it?
I’d prefer a good race in good weather where drivers can push to the limit but those races seem to have become a thing of the past.
Save the engine, mind the gearbox. Consistency reigns but, sadly, that seems to mean that so does mediocrity.
StrFerrari4Ever said on 7th July 2009, 22:14
Yes rain muhuhaha a repeat of 07 Nurburgring apart from red flag situation Red Bull’s at front and hopefully Toro Rosso can follow suit people seem to forget about Buemi in China how he got up to at one stage 4th but got caught out by safety car after crashing into Vettel. I hope it does rain and that STR have a few updates seeing them at the back after last year they were in the top 6 is pretty deperessing
TommyB said on 7th July 2009, 22:43
The old Red Bull car was so good in the wet. Maybe the new one isn’t as good. Might see a good race from Buemi if it buckets it down!!
Casino Square said on 7th July 2009, 22:26
A Toro Rosso fan? That’s quite an obscure team to follow, unless you’ve supported them since they were Minardi. I suppose they need rain for a result this year, they’re probably behind even Force India now at the back of the field, which is unusual considering the almost identical Red Bull car is so strong.
TommyB said on 7th July 2009, 22:45
Toro Rosso are my favourite team. I like Toro Rosso and Red Bull but I liked Vettel in the Toro Rosso and loved the livery on the old STR’s
TommyB said on 7th July 2009, 22:47
Also STR’s overalls look immense!:D
StrFerrari4Ever said on 8th July 2009, 8:13
Yeah i mainly fell in love with Toro Rosso first when they had Liuzzi & Speed odd but hey they were great characters then last year with Vettel that was just amazing the STR3 was just for me perfect and the livery that still sends chills down my spine.
However this year it’s gone a bit pearshaped but i guess its a learning process for Toro Rosso heading into 2010 when they have to build their own car but by Hungaroring I expect top 10 to be a possibility with their major upgrade.
TommyB said on 8th July 2009, 10:03
Yeah It was a big dissapointment when Toro Rosso were back at the back after so many performances from Vettel getting into the points. I’m sure they will improve at the end of the season and will get used to building their own car. Lack of test time really really hurt them this year too.
I was also dissapointed how much the new car looks like the Red Bull now, bring back the huge bull on the side. Also hope Toro Rosso get the new wide looking nose thats on the Red Bull – i love it.
Very glad Vettel is in a car that can win races often now. Shame its not the STR but oh well.
Casino Square said on 8th July 2009, 12:05
Yeah, I like the Toro Rosso bull livery, but they spoilt it a bit this year- now it looks too much like the Red Bull. Shame they’re having such an anonymous year compared to 2008, but I always support the underdog so come on Toro Rosso!
just me said on 8th July 2009, 18:32
me too – huge STR fan! Always love to see an underdog (small team, small budget) to take on the big guys and and embarrass them every now and then.
I wondered at the beginning of this season what the impact of Gerhard Berger leaving would be and it appears now that my fears became true: STR without Berger is not competitive! Of course, there never is just ONE factor (Vettel leaving being the major one).
Now, with a 50% chance of rain, I get really excited for STR again: is Buemi able to shine in rain and put STR on the map this season? Hope floats …
TommyB said on 8th July 2009, 18:46
Yay thats 4 Toro Rosso fans on this website!!
wasiF1 said on 8th July 2009, 1:58
I hope we have a dry track, then we will understand what is the true pace of Red Bull-Renault
Jonesracing82 said on 8th July 2009, 8:06
yyer, it is sad that we still have to hope for rain in order to see a good GP, gives the also rans a chance tho, adrian sutil is good in wet, Buemi had a good start to the season but has tailed off with teh STR since china! hamo is also good in the wet, as r both RBR drivers! rain could hold off on us knowing the true opace in the Brawn-Red Bull fight but Brawn struggles in the wet so that may not be abad thing, esp if Brawn still have the best car! anything to make it at least half exciting is a good thing in my book.
goofy said on 8th July 2009, 11:08
German weather forecast:
http://www.wetteronline.de/Rheinland-Pfalz/Nuerburg.htm
http://www.wetter.com/deutschland/nuerburg/DE0007130.html
Lenny said on 8th July 2009, 11:48
Keith, could you do me a favour and take my predictions for the grand prix this weekend as I will be away.
Vettel
Vettel
Webber
Button
Stealthman said on 8th July 2009, 12:29
Well, if the weather forecasts supplied are accurate, then we can expect cool weather and air temps. We can then safely assume that the Red Bulls have it in the bag, unless Brawn or someone else can pull a rabbit out of their hat.
David said on 8th July 2009, 15:58
Rained races are always funny (apart for long time after the SC), but it’s bad when you cannot see cars in the storm.
At the end I prefer dry conditions, and Nurburgring could be amusing all the same.
F1Fan said on 8th July 2009, 16:29
Rain and low temperatures should help RBR. If it stays dry, look out for drivers on the clean side of the grid at the start. There is a very significant racing-line advantage at the start at the Ring.
Also, Keith, why is Murray Walker predicting a very strong race for Ferrari this weekend ??
Bartholomew said on 8th July 2009, 18:38
Orders from FIA :
All races wet in 2010 !
just me said on 9th July 2009, 19:11
Yahoo