The Australian Grand Prix is bracing for a wet and wild race in Melbourne, with the 58-lap season opener at Albert Park expected to be hit by rain.
The Victorian capital was hampered by showers on Sunday morning, with the FIA reportedly not opposed to delaying the race’s start time should a change be required. However, the FIA is mindful of Melbourne’s sunset, which could impede the drivers’ visions if the race is delayed.
According to a RacingNews365 report, drivers have already been briefed on the possibility of a delayed start to the race.
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“I think it will be chaos,” Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies said.
“It’s a city track, you have six rookies on track, you have lots of rain coming.”
The Formula 3 feature race, which got underway at 9am local time, was thrown into chaos due to the weather, with several drivers skidding off the track throughout the 23-lap event. Most of race was contested behind a safety car, while red flags forced a premature end to the event on Lap 18.
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However, the rain is meant to ease as the day progresses, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting 20mm falling in Melbourne across Sunday.
“Very high chance of showers, becoming less likely in the late afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm this the morning,” the website states.
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Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who qualified eighth, admitted that Sunday’s race was going to be “a challenge” for him in the unfamiliar Ferrari.
“I’ve never driven this car in the rain,” Hamilton said.
“I don’t even know the rain settings so I’ve got to go and study that tonight, and it’ll be a learning experience again tomorrow.”
He later added: “I’m going actually for the first time in the wet in an uncomfortable position because I’ve never driven this car (in those conditions). So, it’s going to be a shock to the system when I get out there but I’m going to be learning on the fly and just give it everything.”
The Australian GP is scheduled to get underway at 3pm AEDT.
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