Showers in Melbourne but race should be dry

2011 Australian GP weather

March 24, 2011 at 7:33 am by Keith Collantine

Adrian Sutil, Force India, Melbourne, 2010

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.

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28 comments on Showers in Melbourne but race should be dry

Icthyes (@icthyes) said on 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 said on 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) said on 24th March 2011, 9:54
    
    You just gave Jenson a new excuse, or at least half a new excuse.
    
- alexf1man said on 24th March 2011, 14:31
  
  Definitly Icthyes :)
  
Lamo2741 said on 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) said on 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 said on 24th March 2011, 7:52

Weather was pretty poxy today actually, but all reports indicate that it will improve over the weekend.

- BasCB (@bascb) said on 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) said on 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 said on 24th March 2011, 8:44

I don’t want it to rain, I thought the race looked beautiful in the sunset in 2009.

vjanik said on 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.

iamsa8 (@aus_steve) said on 24th March 2011, 10:17

news report from the track:

.. its wet

Danne_V said on 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 said on 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) said on 24th March 2011, 12:13

Showers!? Not good enough – get the sprinklers on.

- AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner) said on 24th March 2011, 13:12
  
  A couple of oil slicks and the odd banana skin? ;)
  
  - Julian said on 24th March 2011, 14:02
    
    Green turtle shells! :D
    
    - Matt Pepprell said on 24th March 2011, 21:17
      
      Don’t forget the rocket boost xD!
      
      - David-A (@david-a) said on 24th March 2011, 22:01
        
        Can’t wait to see Renault use their Gold Mushroom!
V8Mate (@v8mate) said on 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) said on 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 said on 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) said on 24th March 2011, 15:21

it’s 4 seasons in a day in Melbourne – the forecasts are useless

Rooney said on 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) said on 24th March 2011, 15:38
  
  Fixed, thanks Rooney.