2018 German GP: threat of rain for qualifying and race at Hockenheim. Current predictions indicate a risk of rain throughout Saturday afternoon.

Formula One could be in for a rain-affected weekend at the Hockenheimring for the 2018 German Grand Prix: while it appears that the track action will begin in sunny conditions, the weather is forecast to change overnight on Friday.

Current predictions indicate a risk of rain throughout Saturday afternoon that could mean wet conditions for the qualifying session, which starts at 3pm. More showers are expected on Sunday, though most of these will fall later in the day, and so may only affect the second half of the race. Practice will begin in hot and sunny conditions on Friday. Air temperatures are forecast to hit 29C, close to what we saw at Silverstone two weeks ago, with sunshine throughout most of the day. Track temperatures should climb to the mid-to-high forties.

However a change in wind direction from north to south overnight will bring a temperature drop of around 5C and could even spark a few thunderstorms on Saturday. Rain could arrive early enough to affect the final practice session, which starts at noon.

Temperatures will recover slightly on Sunday but the risk of rain is expected to remain. The weekend’s cooler, wetter conditions are expected to be a temporary break from otherwise very warm weather – the post-race forecast is for sunshine and 30-degree heat.