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The Australian Grand Prix schedule at Phillip Island could face major disruptions as deteriorating weather conditions loom over the event.
Forecasts of heavy rain on Sunday have cast doubt on whether the main race can proceed as planned, opening up the possibility of a schedule shake-up reminiscent of 2023.
According to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, Friday's practice sessions will take place under sunny skies with temperatures reaching 26°C, albeit with strong wind gusts. Conditions are set to worsen considerably on Saturday, with temperatures dropping to 19°C and a 95% chance of rain yielding between 6 and 20 mm. The bulk of Saturday's rainfall is expected in the afternoon and evening, keeping alive hopes that the Sprint race can still run without significant disruption.
Sunday Set to Be the Most Critical Day
Sunday is projected to bring the worst of the weather. The forecast predicts a 100% chance of rain with totals between 10 and 30 mm, alongside a maximum temperature of just 18°C. Rain is expected to persist throughout the day, which could directly affect racing across all three Grand Prix classes.
Journalist Neil Morrison reported that Fabio Di Giannantonio revealed during Thursday's media debriefs that talks had already taken place regarding contingency plans to maximize track action and avoid the worst of the conditions.
"It looks like Sunday's weather could cause serious issues, and we might need to rethink the schedule," Di Giannantonio told the Italian media.
Ducati factory rider Pecco Bagnaia also weighed in on the situation: "On Saturday and Sunday, it looks like it will be extremely difficult to ride at all because of the weather. But that's the situation, and we just have to give it our best shot."
Lessons from 2023
Phillip Island (pictured) underwent a similar schedule revamp during the 2023 season, when the premier class Grand Prix was moved forward to Saturday in a swap with the Sprint due to gale-force wind warnings, rain, and cold temperatures. The storm hit on Sunday, and although the warm-up and Moto3 race went ahead in wet conditions, the Moto2 race was red-flagged and the MotoGP Sprint was cancelled entirely.
The unpredictable weather adds further tension to the world championship fight, where just two points separate title contenders Jorge Martín and Marc Márquez. The upcoming weekend will also mark MotoGP's final visit to the iconic Phillip Island circuit before the Australian Grand Prix relocates to Adelaide in 2027.
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