‘We have rain tyres so we should just race’: drivers ready for first wet race in Melbourne in 15 years

The Australian Grand Prix is set to experience rain for the first time since 2010, with drivers prepping themselves for the challenge of a wet Albert Park.

A 95% chance of rain is forecast in Melbourne today, with grey skies and drizzle already greeting fans who made it to the circuit early.

New Ferrari recruit Lewis Hamilton is one of the few drivers on the grid who has raced in Melbourne in the wet, but doesn’t necessarily believe that experience will help him during the race today.

“I’ve got a bad memory so I don't actually remember driving here in the wet!” he told The Roar. “But the wet has been something I've always enjoyed.

“Growing up in England, it was always wet, so it's been a comfort zone for me.

“I'm going actually for the first time in the wet (in a Ferrari) in an uncomfortable position, because I've never driven this car, so it's going to be a shock to the system when I get out there.

“I'm gonna be learning on the fly and just giving it everything.”

With opening rounds of the Formula One season always bringing the prospect of uncertainty, wet weather throws another spanner into the works, with the race set to be the first opening round of a F1 season to be wet since the 2003 Australian Grand Prix.

Mercedes Rookie Kimi Antonelli, who will start the race well behind expectations in 16th, is hoping the wet conditions will help him progress through the field.

(Photo by Getty Images)

“Many many things can happen and we'll try to build something good from there,” he told The Roar. “I really like the rain…I think we can we can do something.”

With a slight chance of thunderstorms during the race, the FIA has floated the possibility of changing the start time in order to avoid the worst of the conditions.

Kiwi Red Bull driver Liam Lawson though said no matter what the start time of the race ended up being, the rain shouldn’t prevent the cars hitting the Albert Park track for the race.

“We have rain tyrse, so we should just race,” he told The Roar after qualifying.

The Australian Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 3pm today.