San Marino Weather... Rain all the way....

[Sodemo]

At the moment the forecast is for showers all week.
If there is one race I pray for rain its Imola, it needs a wet race to make it interesting.

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/SMXX0001.html

[Knowlesy]

I'm not sure I believe this, really.....

Here's hoping...

[pirenzo]

The extended forecast at least would suggest some sun on raceday. Should make for some good racing - wet qualifying with a dry or changeable race...

[shambles]

Well, unlike many - I always love the Imola race come rain or shine. But a wet race, would be fantastic. Don't forget, that this will be the last San Marino Grand Prix, to use the Variante Bassa and pit complex, which in it's own way, will be sad...

[BootsOntheSide]

Hungary and Spain are usually worse, but all 3 of these tracks rarely if ever produce rain. Wet races are almost always the best, as more things can happen and the driver is tested more. The chances of a Michael win would surely be increased further by rain. I don't really have any definite mental impression of how good Fernando or Kimi are in the wet yet - does anything stick out for anyone else?

[shambles]

Well at Interlagos 2003, we all know what happened to them both. But, I don't think that's any reflection - they've both matured as drivers in my eyes.

Of course also Spa last year, Kimi lead a KR/FA 1-2

[raul_iulian]

if it will rain.... we will see something like in Australia. Lots of cars will crash, but it will be cool.

[chunterer]

Could well make things entertaining...

we know that on historical evidence certain drivers excel in tricky conditions (unless they push to hard and stack it that is)

Namely,

M Schumacher
JP Montoya
D Coulthard

As already mentioned, there aren't many stand out ocassions where Alonso or Kimi have had to tackle very poor conditions, although Fernando did slam through the field in last years' opener, which from memory, was a starting damp, gradually drying affair?

The other big question, as always is have Michelin got a full wet that can offer anything for the Bridgestones?

[JeremySmith]

Don't forget Ruben's, he is good in the wet..

[climb]

In case of rain Fisi could do well too

[StuiE]

...how well does the traction control work in the wet?

[marzF1rocks]

i think rain always makes a race more intreasting...
It becomes more compettive and unpredictable with rain

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Don't forget Ruben's, he is good in the wet..

Ah yes, good one, and the opportunity to do well in such conditions couldn't come ata more important time for him....

[goodhorsehymn]

Wet race would be fabulous. Its been a while.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by gtr69

...how well does the traction control work in the wet?

Too well!

[ralf fan]

Originally Posted by climb

In case of rain Fisi could do well too

only if it dry for him and wet for the others...

[Marbot]

Michelin seem confident that they can go well in the wet.http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=115292

[Knowlesy]

They did last year....they improved greatly....although Spa was quite quirky conditions.....

[Sodemo]

I'm crossing my fingers, but I am not pinning my hopes just yet, as its always the same with these forcasts, they show it as being some kind of tropical storm with 3 days to go, then when there is only 1 day to go, its a tropical heatwave...

[chillibowl]

first time in a long time that i am as excited if not not more excited for qualifying over the race - provided it rains of course

[Dutton]

As long as it is not on-and-off drizzle I don't mind...

[enemy-ace]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

I don't really have any definite mental impression of how good Fernando or Kimi are in the wet yet - does anything stick out for anyone else?

I remember Kimi going well at Silverstone in 2002 on what were then very poor Michelin wets. I recall him passing Ralf in the dry and then when it started to rain a poor pitstop to put on wets put him back again. He then went about passing a bunch of drivers in the wet including Ralf again. Pretty impressive driving IMO.
I hope it rains at Imola this weekend. There's something quite magical about an F1 car slicing through the rain. The rain and the kerbs at Imola should be quite fun to watch. I think'll I'll have to scrounge up my copy of '93 Donington and watch it as a primer.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Dutton

As long as it is not on-and-off drizzle I don't mind...

i think thats one of the reasons why it might be good.

stratagies concerning the 3 sessions changing on the fly, such as who will be able to save tires for the race by running wets or inters, the 110% rule for those in the final session, and just how drivers choose to go out with many probably waiting for the last 5 min of each session to allow for maximum drying time.

i just hope its not ruined by yellow or red flag periods, but as long as no one gets hurt that too might add to the excitement.

[Dutton]

In on-and-off drizzle scenarios Bridgestone slicks are much worse that Michelin slicks. This is why I hope that weather is not present.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Dutton

In on-and-off drizzle scenarios Bridgestone slicks are much worse that Michelin slicks. This is why I hope that weather is not present.

As we were told in practise at Melbourne,the Michelins seemed to cope with the drizzly stuff much better than their Bridgestone counterparts.

Once again however i feel that tyre performance will have an overbearing part to play in the result of the 2006 San Marino GP.