F1 drivers facing reduced Japanese GP threat after sudden change

F1 drivers are set to face a reduced threat of driving the new 2026 breed of car in the wet for the first time at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. 

Throughout testing and the opening two races of the season, wet-weather running has not occurred, but during round three of the season in Japan, there is a possibility of rain hitting Suzuka, although it has reduced since earlier in the week. 

At the time of writing, a huge storm cell system is currently moving west-to-east across Japan, with the remnants set to largely clear ahead of the race weekend.

However, a few scattered showers will remain across southern Japan, with the possibility of showers hitting Suzuka, which is located in Mie Prefecture. 

This is a change to the forecast for recent days, which showed rain showers hitting the track on Saturday afternoon, with it currently being more likely than not that the entire weekend will now be dry. 

Throughout the weekend, temperatures are expected to be just below the 20-degree Celsius mark, with winds coming from the South and South, South East. 

This would roughly correspond to a headwind into Turn 1, with the run from the exit of the second Degner to the hairpin running directly North.