Australian MotoGP’s Wet Woes: Torrential Rain Cancels Free Practice 1 at Phillip Island

First Practice Session Called Off at Australian MotoGP Due to Heavy Rain

The initial practice round for the 2024 Australian MotoGP was thwarted by severe rainfall.

The initial training session for the 2024 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island was postponed and ultimately called off because of heavy rainfall.

As predicted, Friday began with rain, and the weather worsened by the conclusion of the Moto2 free practice session.

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The commencement of MotoGP FP1 was delayed due to the BMW Safety Car checking the track conditions, creating quite a stir in the process.

Numerous cyclists pointed out that the issue wasn't just the amount of rainfall, but also that the water appeared to remain on the surface of the newly laid asphalt instead of being absorbed or draining away properly.

Local hero Jack Miller shared with Simon Crafar in the pitlane, "We're truly living the complete Phillip Island adventure! The past couple of days were amazing, and now, it's showing its challenging side!"

Big thanks to all the supporters. It's unfortunate that we haven't hit the track yet, but we're holding out hope for a break in the rain so the pooled water can drain away. Right now, it feels like we're in the midst of a waterlogged metropolis.

"Thankful for the fresh asphalt, yet it results in water accumulating on the surface."

Following an almost two-hour wait, the Race Direction declared the pit lane would open at 12:25, causing worry among many of the riders. However, this decision was quickly overturned, leading to an announcement of an additional postponement.

Loris Capirossi, the Safety Officer for Dorna, who was behind the wheel of the safety car, mentioned, "Right when the rain began to lighten, the track conditions were improving. However, the issue arose when the rainfall intensified once more. This led to aquaplaning, making it wiser to postpone until the rainfall ceased."

FP1 was formally called off just after 12:30 local time.

An updated timetable has not been released, but forecasts predict rainy conditions for the remainder of the day. This casts uncertainty over this afternoon's Practice session, which plays a crucial role in determining the top 10 riders who will directly enter Qualifying 2.

The weather on Saturday is expected to be clear but with strong winds, while Sunday is anticipated to bring the most favorable weather of the weekend for the Australian MotoGP event.

The absence of dry track conditions on Friday prevents teams and riders from collecting crucial data on slick tyres due to Michelin's broader tyre range, introduced to address the new asphalt at Phillip Island.

The smooth back tire – the medium option that was the choice of the majority of racers last year – has a standard build, whereas the medium and hard back tires feature a more rigid, heat-proof design, previously utilized at Mandalika.

Michelin is optimistic that the 13-lap Sprint race on Saturday will have dry conditions, allowing for an assessment of the soft rear tire on the freshly laid asphalt.

The Australian MotoGP from the previous year was rescheduled to Saturday afternoon, replacing the Sprint, because of an anticipated storm.

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