Drivers will have to deal with regular rain over the first two days of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, but a dry Sunday is expected.
This weekend sees the ten teams and 20 drivers return to the paddock in Zandvoort after three weeks away over the summer break for the first of ten rounds to finish the 2024 season.
The seaside circuit in the Netherlands is no stranger to inclement weather, as last year’s Dutch Grand Prix was affected by rain from the opening lap of the race.
This weekend will see more rain arriving to complicate matters for the teams as many are likely to bring a swathe of upgrades to the Netherlands in a bid to kick-start the final phase of their seasons. There is a high probability of rain over the circuit on Friday for the two practice sessions, with a more than 70% chance of rain for opening practice, before a much reduced risk of around 12% for the second hour of practice at 4pm.
But as well as the rain, extremely high winds could cause havoc for drivers through the fast, narrow corners of the Zandvoort circuit as the reacquaint themselves with their cars.
Saturday’s qualifying day is also likely to be wet. Sustained rain throughout the day is expected, with, again, a risk of more than 70% for the third and final hour of practice just after midday. That rain is expected to persist at least until the start of qualifying, meaning drivers may at best face a wet but drying track when the time comes to decide the starting grid.
Drivers will be relieved to learn that Sunday’s race is expected to be run entirely in the dry. There is no rain expected or even a small risk of precipitation for race day, with relatively cool temperatures of around 18 degrees Celsius expected throughout the day. If this holds, this weekend’s race will be the second-coldest Dutch Grand Prix since the event returned to the calendar in 2021.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
For more updates on the track conditions during each session keep an eye on RaceFans Live and the RaceFans Twitter account.
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2024 Dutch Grand Prix
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…