Romain Grosjean, Lotus, Sepang International Circuit, 2014

Another wet qualifying session forecast in China

2014 Chinese Grand Prix weather

17th April 2014, 16:3017th April 2014, 16:19 | Written by Keith Collantine

Two of the qualifying sessions so far this year have been held in wet conditions and we could be in for another one this weekend.

Shanghai gets over 100mm of rain in April and on several occasions it has coincided with an important part of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The forecast for this weekend predicts persistent moderate rain throughout the day, and cooler temperatures too.

The action will begin on Friday in temperatures of up to 20C, but a soggy Saturday will see the mercury fall around four degrees.

It will pick up slightly on Sunday when drivers can expect dry but still cloudy conditions for the race.

For more updates on the track conditions during each session keep an eye on F1 Fanatic Live and the F1 Fanatic Twitter account.

Location of Shanghai International Circuit

See the location of every race on the 2014 F1 calendar here:

2014 F1 calendar

2014 Chinese Grand Prix

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Image © Lotus/LAT

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Keith Collantine

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22 comments on “Another wet qualifying session forecast in China”

Bradley Downton (@bradley13)
17th April 2014, 16:36

Someone’s playing tricks with us…

We’ve already established rain on Saturday may produce an exciting Qualifying session but doesn’t really mix the grid up anymore. Can we have it on Sunday instead please?
1. Mr win or lose
  17th April 2014, 21:53
  
  A wet qualifying does mix up the grid: Williams will probably fail again. But I’d love to see some rain on Sunday – not too much, because then the race will be delayed.
2. JCost (@jcost)
  18th April 2014, 0:33
  
  Wet race would be great.
  
  I vote for Sunday!
  1. Prof Kirk (@prof-kirk)
    18th April 2014, 1:45
    
    Agreed! Rain for Sunday, does anyone have Bernie’s phone number to let him know?
    1. Hemz Shaw (@hemzshaw)
      18th April 2014, 11:12
      
      lol.. Love that comment…
      
      Agreed! Rain for Sunday, does anyone have Bernie’s phone number to let him know?
  2. spoutnik (@spoutnik)
    18th April 2014, 12:06
    
    @jcost @prof-kirk just ask Chinese officials:
    http://metro.co.uk/2011/08/05/chinese-cloud-seed-rocket-launcher-used-to-make-rain-104639/
Uzair Syed (@ultimateuzair)
17th April 2014, 17:09

I don’t want rain in the qualifying, I want it in the whole race!
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
17th April 2014, 18:05

A Vettel pole possible?
1. Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
  17th April 2014, 18:39
  
  Possible, but still perhaps distant. Mercedes appear to still hold an advantage in the wet – though of course significantly reduced and dependant on the driver more so.
2. JCost (@jcost)
  18th April 2014, 0:35
  
  Those two straights still should make a difference, but Seb and Dan could bother ther Mercs
3. Jason (@jason12)
  18th April 2014, 16:39
  
  @william-brierty
  RIC has been out-qualifying him.
  
  So why would you choose VET?
  1. WilliamB (@william-brierty)
    18th April 2014, 16:53
    
    @jason12 – I think it’s something to do with the fact that he is a four-time champion and won the wet 2008 Italian GP in a Toro Rosso! Point noted, Ricciardo is putting Vettel under levels of pressure Sebastian is yet to experience in his career, but Vettel looked phenomenally fast in the wet in Malaysia (another front-limited track with high speed corners and long straights), but with a reality check, it will still be a Merc front row.
DaveD (@daved)
17th April 2014, 18:28

I’m looking forward to seeing a little wet qualy. It’s always interesting to see who the “mudders” are in the field.

Also looking forward to seeing if Lotus do any changes to their nose as they’ve hinted at.
Daniel (@collettdumbletonhall)
17th April 2014, 20:09

Why does wet weather in qualifying not mix up the grid anymore like it used to?
1. Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
  18th April 2014, 11:22
  
  I think one of the main reasons is parc ferme after qualifying. That and the rules on ride height mean there isn’t so much difference between a ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ setup. So wet or dry, downforce is still the priority (now engine power being a factor too) so there tends to be less difference than there used to be.
  
  You still get the odd surprise, like Bottas P3 in Canada last year, and can expect a few more if conditions are at a cross-over point between tyre options.
SauberS1 (@saubers1)
17th April 2014, 22:46

They will stop the race, don’t need the rain tyres.
23kennyboy23
17th April 2014, 23:09

I swear whenever Lewis Hamilton has a shot at the title there are more races than usual. Complete coincidence or just my selective memory but compare this to 2013 for example.
1. Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
  17th April 2014, 23:20
  
  Erm, there are 19 races this year, same as last year…
  1. George (@george)
    18th April 2014, 0:30
    
    I think he meant to say wet races
2. 23kennyboy23
  18th April 2014, 18:04
  
  *wet races. spot on. 2008 for example had a huge amount.
William (@william)
18th April 2014, 3:15

Awesome about the rain but we it looks like we are going to have 3 out of 4 wet qualifying. As everyone has said we needed it during the race
uan (@uan)
18th April 2014, 4:25

If it rains in Qualy, I suspect a repeat of Malaysia for the grid – with Hamilton, Vet and Rosberg P1,2,3 respectively. I think the straights are too long to give Vettel a change at nipping HAM. But HAM and VET are significantly better in the rain then ROS, imo, at least better enough to finish in front of him.