F1 News

Weather Update | Higher chance of rain in qualifying an advantage for Verstappen?

9 October 2021 at 11:53
Last update 9 October 2021 at 12:51
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  • GPblog.com

The third free practice session of the Turkish Grand Prix was a wet one. The practice was slow to start, but eventually, many drivers went out for a few laps on the intermediate tyres. The chance of rain for qualifying has increased again.

There are still clouds around the Istanbul Park track at the moment, but they are moving away quickly. Should the sun come out, the track will be able to dry quickly for qualifying at 13:00. However, the chance of rain has increased to sixty percent.

Many drivers went out on track during FP3 with the full wets and then the intermediate tyres. With the chance of rain in qualifying the teams want to prepare as good as possible. At the moment the track is dry, but qualifying doesn't start for just over an hour.

Rain an advantage for Verstappen?

Rain could certainly play in Red Bull Racing's favour. Max Verstappen wasn't happy with the balance after Friday's sessions, but the wet session of FP3 prevented the team from improving the car in dry conditions. Red Bull looked fast on the wet track, so who knows what the team can do if it actually rains during qualifying.

Mercedes, on the other hand, didn't show much during the session. That could indicate that the team doesn't expect rain in qualifying or that they already have a set-up for a wet track that works well. This afternoon we will know.