(Motorsport-Total.com) – These are crucial questions at every Formula 1 race weekend in 2026. Namely: What is the weather forecast? Is a wet track to be expected on site? Are intermediates or even rain tires needed? Or will it simply remain constantly dry from practice through qualifying to the race, and dry tires will suffice? In short: What do the drivers around Nico Hülkenberg, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton have to prepare for?
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To be able to answer these questions, our editors keep a close eye on the weather at the Formula 1 venues several days before the start of tests or race weekends. And during the course of the event, this preview article is updated with new weather information such as temperature in degrees Celsius, wind strength, cloud cover, and expected precipitation for the individual days of each weekend.
The result is the most precise weather forecast possible for the respective Grands Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season. However, all information is without guarantee, as some motorsport locations such as Spa-Francorchamps or the Nürburgring are known for having particularly changeable weather that cannot always be accurately predicted. Precipitation can also occur there unannounced.
The next time Formula 1 takes to the track is in Shanghai, from March 13 to 15 for the Chinese Grand Prix, the second race weekend of the year. (Access the complete 2026 Formula 1 calendar here!)
Friday, March 13, 2026
1st Free Practice (4:30-5:30 a.m. CET)
The first Formula 1 driving day in Shanghai begins with plenty of sun and temperatures up to 14 degrees Celsius. With a nearly cloudless sky, rain is not an issue. The wind blows weakly at an average of four km/h from a southeasterly direction. Peaks of just over 20 km/h are possible. The wind direction means a tailwind before Turn 6 and a headwind on the long back straight before the hairpin.
Sprint Qualifying (from 8:30 a.m. CET)
For Sprint Qualifying, it remains sunny with temperatures just over ten degrees Celsius. The wind weakens to an average of nine km/h but continues to hit the track from the southeast. Individual wind gusts can reach up to 20 km/h.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Sprint (from 4:00 a.m. CET)
The first sprint of the 2026 Formula 1 season will be held under sunshine. Temperatures will rise to up to 16 degrees Celsius, and rain is not in sight. Instead, a light wind blows from the southeast at an average of 13 km/h. But beware: individual gusts of wind can reach over 40 km/h. The wind direction primarily means a headwind on the long back straight before the hairpin.
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Qualifying (from 8:00 a.m. CET)
During the time trials in qualifying, conditions are similar to the sprint: temperatures up to 14 degrees, plenty of sun, no rain. Only the wind weakens slightly.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Grand Prix (Race start at 8:00 a.m. CET)
On race day, the weather changes: according to initial forecasts, it is expected to be cloudy all day. In the early afternoon, the probability of rain increases, and showers may occur during the course of the afternoon. Temperatures will initially be around 17 degrees Celsius, but will then drop to around ten degrees.
The wind also shifts: for the first time this weekend, it blows onto the track from the north/northeast, at an average of ten km/h. Peaks of up to 35 km/h are possible. The wind direction results mostly in crosswinds and headwinds in the middle sector at Turn 8.
Note: This forecast will be updated several times during the week!
Initial forecasts for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix:
In Suzuka, Japan, at the end of March, temperatures between twelve and 20 degrees Celsius are possible with an average of six to seven hours of sunshine per day. With eight to ten rainy days per month, there is a certain chance of showers and wet conditions.
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