The build-up to Sunday’s United States Grand Prix is forecast to be extremely wet, though conditions should improve in time for race day.
A tropical storm south-west of Mexico will send significant amounts of rain north to Texas over the coming days. Forecasts give different views of exactly much rain Austin will experience, but a high volume of rainfall is expected which will peak on Saturday. Conditions for Friday are little better.
By Sunday the forecast improves but a risk of rain showers will remain for the race. That is likely to affect how teams approach practice, and could mean we see very little running indeed. Friday running may be sacrificed to save wet and intermediate tyres for the race, and conditions on Saturday could lead to lengthy red flags.
F1 has not run in heavy rain at the Circuit of the Americas, which opened in 2012, but last year’s World Endurance Championship round at the track was hit by a rainstorm 90 minutes into the event:
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 Circuit of the Americas
See the location of every race on the 2015 F1 calendar here:
2015 United States Grand Prix
- Verstappen and Rosberg take second Driver of the Weekend wins
- Very high rating for US GP as Mexico’s return falls flat
- 2015 United States Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2015 United States Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
- Top ten pictures from the 2015 United States Grand Prix
Bradley Downton (@bradley13)
22nd October 2015, 12:29
I guess I’m not alone in fearing we’re in for a rather lengthy Saturday evening/night?
glynh (@glynh)
22nd October 2015, 12:52
Same here but I’ve got to watch the BBC repeat. Does anyone know if that has to be delayed if the 2 versions start getting too close?
I wish for once the recent weather could be reversed so we get a wet race.
markp
22nd October 2015, 15:54
Back to the Future, the BBC will air qualifying before it has happened.
Strontium (@strontium)
22nd October 2015, 17:38
@glynh I would love to see a properly wet race. Not one that’s slightly damp at the start, not one with just a threat throughout the entire race, and not a race where it comes on the last lap.
A race which is just exciting and the weather delivers.
So bring on the sprinklers! (Looking back now, this was one of Bernie’s better ideas. That’s saying something.)
BasCB (@bascb)
22nd October 2015, 13:01
yes @bradley13, looks like it might take them a while to get through the program. And I hope the full wets will help them more than the much praised Michelin tyres did for those sportscars shown!
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
22nd October 2015, 13:16
@bradley13 Monday morning (I hope I haven’t got school tests scheduled for that…..if that’s the case bring on Canada 2011…..)
Unicron (@unicron2002)
22nd October 2015, 12:36
Bring it! There’s nothing better than wet/dry conditions to add a bit of unpredictability to a race
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
22nd October 2015, 13:15
Wet Friday runs are sacrified either to keep sets for the race or because no useful data can be gleaned……..
Delta Golf Sierra (@cumulonimbus)
22nd October 2015, 13:16
This is incorrect. There are currently NO Flood Warnings for Austin. While flooding is possible, it is too early for any warnings to be issued. Here is the statement from the National Weather Service – http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&product=SPS&issuedby=EWX
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
22nd October 2015, 13:21
Sorry I should have written Texas instead of Austin – have changed that now.
Steve C
22nd October 2015, 17:42
Keith, the phrase “Warning” means weather is happening and the phrase “Watch” means weather could happen. We’ve had many Oct floods here in central Texas because of weather conditions like we’re going to see this weekend.
Please, for the fans coming here for F1 weekend, watch the weather and don’t try to drive through what you might think is a safe low water crossing. We value your life and want you to come back so as they say around here, “Turn around, don’t drown”
Simon (@weeniebeenie)
22nd October 2015, 15:21
@keithcollantine I’m trying to make my predictions for the race but it won’t let me select Bernd Mayländer for the winner.
IJW (@)
22nd October 2015, 16:59
He may not win, but could possibly be the one leading the most laps!
AceAce
22nd October 2015, 15:28
If it’s a Wet race Williams are gassed.
Jonathan (@jw14b)
22nd October 2015, 15:58
Here’s hoping for a bit of rain at some stage during the weekend (I’d prefer a wet race, but history shows that a wet qualifying can also mix up the grid order nicely). I think a good old fashioned wet race is just what F1 needs right now – two of the most maligned current features would be eliminated (DRS and short lifespan dry tyres) and I think a quick look at F1F’s ‘Rate the Race’ results shows that challenging weather frequently results in thrilling races.
petebaldwin (@)
22nd October 2015, 16:09
Let me guess – rain all weekend except Sunday when it’s predicted to brighten up?
Tom (@tjtv)
22nd October 2015, 16:09
Naturally this would be the forecast for the first time ever that I’m attending an F1 race in person. Not even sure what I should do now. Sounds like going to the track on Friday might be a complete waste of a day.
Mike
22nd October 2015, 17:16
My first race was Montreal 2011. I feel your pain.
Adam
22nd October 2015, 17:20
I’m in the same boat. Finally going to watch a race in person and there’s a tropical storm, figures.
Bobby (@f1bobby)
22nd October 2015, 16:52
They’ll run behind the safety car for half the race at the first sign of water.
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
22nd October 2015, 22:44
@f1bobby I’m waiting for someone to pit for inters behind the safety car, unless this is not allowed, as Button did it by following the safety car into the pits in Japan 2014.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
22nd October 2015, 17:22
I just hope it’s not so wet we just get a bunch of safety car running. I’m finally attending my first race, so I hope to see some racing. I was initially bummed that I’ll only be there on race day, but now it doesn’t look like I’ll miss much. Indeed if the weather is as bad as the forecast suggests we may end up like Suzuka 2010 with qualifying Sunday morning. I’ll be spraying a fresh coat of waterproofing on all my rain gear tonight.
BasCB (@bascb)
23rd October 2015, 6:19
I hope you enjoy it despite the weather (or even due to the weather!) @us_peter
US_Peter (@us_peter)
23rd October 2015, 18:21
Thanks @bascb!
woogle
22nd October 2015, 18:37
the thought of rain makes me moist
ads
22nd October 2015, 20:16
Wet races in f1 used to be great but now wet races consists of a safety car start followed by f1 cars following the safety car around for way too many laps. The Japanese gp last year was a joke 10+ laps following the safety car despite conditions being good enough for racing.
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
22nd October 2015, 22:43
I’m wondering whether me might have a cancelled qualifying. According to Weather.com, the rain will be at its worst from Saturday morning through to midday Sunday. If that is the case then I can’t see them squeezing it in before race time. Wonder how the grid would be set in that situation? Hopefully it’s practice times, so it gives the teams some incentive to do something on Friday…
Warner (@warner16)
23rd October 2015, 0:12
With this weather forecast for the GP, the Red Bull’s should be battling for the podium spots.
SauberS1 (@saubers1)
23rd October 2015, 1:45
There is chance for that it won’t be race…
Scalextric (@scalextric)
23rd October 2015, 4:33
Mexico is also getting hammered by the rather huge Hurricane Patricia in a couple of days. Not hitting near Mexico D.F., it’s over on the west coast, but the rain as it moves inland might affect, say, road transport of F1 gear from Austin early next week.
W-K (@w-k)
23rd October 2015, 7:35
Just checked the latest weather forecasts for Austin at 10 till 12, that’s over period of FP1, 95% chance of heavy thunder storms.
Drops to 80% for FP2 period.
Rain for FP3 but back to thunderstorms for Qualifying.
Should be either fun or no show.
Martijn (@)
23rd October 2015, 9:13
We haven’t had a wet race all season. What are the historical stats on this by the way?
Akshat
23rd October 2015, 18:31
Silverstone was wet.