MELBOURNE: Organisers of the Australian Grand Prix are gearing up for an extreme heat event affecting the Albert Park area this Saturday, with temperatures expected to soar to 37°C during qualifying sessions. Despite the pleasant weather experienced in Melbourne earlier this week, a significant drop in temperature alongside potential rain is forecasted for Sunday.
Travis Auld, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, reassured fans on Nine’s Today that they are equipped to handle the heat. With hydration stations and increased shaded areas, supporters are encouraged to arrive well-prepared. “Friday has been an incredible day; Saturday will be warm, but we are ready," Auld stated.
The anticipated heat creates challenges not only for teams but also for the drivers. As temperatures rise, the performance and reliability of the cars may be put to the test, with engineering setups being impacted. Amidst the heat, drivers will face extreme cockpit temperatures that can reach around 50°C, heightening the risk of errors during racing moments.
After Saturday’s hot qualifying session, rain is expected on Sunday, possibly bringing thunderstorms and making it the first wet race of the year. This time, teams will lack the opportunity for practice under these conditions, complicating decision-making regarding set-ups for the race. They must choose between configuring for a challenging wet race, which could hinder qualifying performance, or optimise for the dry qualification and hope the forecasted rain doesn’t materialise.
This uncertainty leaves many teams in a precarious position, often opting for a conservative set-up strategy to prepare for both eventualities. However, it also risks misjudgments that could impact their race positions.
Oliver Bearman, a driver for Haas, expressed a silver lining in this unpredictable weather. After facing challenges in practice due to a crash that limited his track time, the prospect of wet conditions comes as a welcome relief. He mentioned that while losing practice laps is frustrating, the uncertain weather might provide him with fresh opportunities, saying, “At this stage of my career, missing laps is annoying, but I can only thank one person for that… with a chance of rain on Sunday, I’m a little less sad.”
It’s been over a decade since the race last ran in wet conditions, which underscores the unpredictability of the weekend ahead. Bearman is set to get one final hour of practice to familiarise himself with the circuit before qualifying begins. As the circus rolls on, all eyes will be on Saturday’s sweltering heat and Sunday’s looming storm.