Formula 1 teams might get lucky with weather in Japan

Formula 1 teams and drivers might get away with preparing for a wet Japanese Grand Prix as the chance of rain is now about 1-3% for Sunday in Suzuka. F1 has not experienced any wet running during 2024 so far and that could change this weekend. So far, races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia have all remained dry.

Suzuka and rain; they are inextricably linked. One of the reasons for moving the Grand Prix from October to April is that it avoids racing in the middle of the rainy season. April is usually drier. The emphasis here is on the word 'usually'. Because if Weather.com's weather reports are to be believed, it could get still get wet this weekend, but the chances of that happening are getting slimmer.

What is the weather forecast for the Japanese GP?

Weather.com reports a chance of rain on all three days in Japan. On Friday, it is expected to be cloudy with temperatures as low as 15c. There is a 12% chance of rain during practice day. On Saturday, the temperature is predicted to rise by a couple of degrees, and the chance of rain decreases to 8%, as qualifying is predicted to end before it begins to rain. 

After a rainy prediction earlier this week, Sunday now only has 1-3% chance of rain. Recent history has shown that when it rains in Suzuka…it rains. However after first heavy rain, then only showers were predicted for this year's Japanese GP, now it would be a miracle to see some of it.