Jorge Martin holds a slender 10-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia as the final triple header of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship begins at Phillip Island in Australia.
Always one of the most anticipated rounds of the season, the thrilling seaside circuit has been the scene of many epic battles, while the notoriously unpredictable weather is set to keep teams and riders on edge.
This year’s event comes with the added unknown of MotoGP’s very first laps on the new Phillip Island asphalt.
The last time the Australian track was resurfaced, in 2013, MotoGP required a shortened race distance and pit stops due to the overheating Bridgestone rubber.
The same fate then befell the WorldSBK Championship when it took to the latest tarmac in February of this year, meaning all eyes will be on Michelin’s chosen line-up of 2024 MotoGP compounds.
Whatever happens, MotoGP will be hoping for its first Phillip Island Sprint race this weekend, after storm warnings saw the Saturday race replaced by the full grand prix in 2023.
Martin came within a lap of glory last year, until a soft tyre gamble backfired and team-mate Johann Zarco swept to a long awaited first MotoGP win. The forecast storm then arrived on Sunday, cancelling the rescheduled Sprint.
FP1 starts at 10:45am local time (12:45am UK) followed by Practice at 3:00pm (5:00am UK).
Jack Miller is the latest to wave down Loris Capirossi as he returns to the pits in the Safety Car and, along with team manager Francesco Guidotti, is in an animated conversation with Capirossi through the open window.
Aleix Espargaro and Alex Rins also speak to Capirossi.
The riders seem to have got their way: The planned start to the session has been delayed, again, due to the conditions.
The track surface looks like a mirror, with the standing water sitting on top of the new asphalt (did someone mention Silverstone 2018?)
Johann Zarco flags down Loris Capirossi as he returns to pit lane, lots of tense faces in pit lane as the rain is still falling and the track clearly soaking wet.
Aleix Espargaro shrugs his shoulders as he talks to an IRTA official, the Aprilia rider doesn't look impressed by the decision to start the session.
Pit lane opens in 10 minutes, 12:25 local time.
The track is still soaking wet, as Loris Capirossi splashes around in the Safety Car.
Johann Zarco is going from garage to garage chatting to other riders, Marco Bezzecchi is having some lunch.
5mins until the next Race Direction update.
Whisper it, but the rain looks to have eased. People are standing in pit lane without umbrellas.
Jorge Martin to Simon Crafar: "I want to thank all the people here supporting us even though we're not able to ride."
Race Direction hasn't yet given up on FP1, with 12:15 given for the next update.
Brad Binder to Simon Crafar in pitlane: "I really hope we get to go out."
The next Race Direction update is due at midday, 10 minutes from now.
IRTA officials are going from garage to garage. With no sign of the weather improving it won't be a surprise if FP1, which should have finished 15 minutes ago, is cancelled and perhaps extra time given for this afternoon's Practice.
Some more pitlane pics while we wait for the next Race Direction update...
Augusto Fernandez is playing cards with the Tech3 team in the pits, which sums things up at the moment!
Last year's Phillip Island winner Johann Zarco to Simon Crafar in pitlane: "I had a flashback to my victory while I was cycling out of the last corner yesterday! I was surprised because normally I don't think about it."
Talking about the unique challenge of the fast and flowing circuit, Zarco said: "The 100m board [for Turn 1] was my braking marker in 125GP and it was still my braking marker in MotoGP last year, this is incredible!"
Jack Miller laughs and gives a thumbs up to a young fan shown on TV doing a 'shoey', drinking from his wet trainer!
Marc Marquez is seen walking out of the Gresini pits, the rain is continuing to fall just as heavily.
A few more pictures from pit lane...
Jack Miller to Simon Crafar in pitlane: "We're getting the full Phillip Island experience! The last two days have been fantastic and she's turned to the not-so-nice part!
"Massive shout-out to the fans. A shame we're not on track yet but hopefully, there will be a gap in the rain to let the standing water clear, it looks like aquaplane-city at the moment.
"Grateful to have new asphalt but it means the water is sitting on top."
Asked about the massive chatter from the KTM caught on camera in Japan, Miller replied:
"We've been trying [to solve the chatter] all year, from Turn 6 in pre-season testing in Malaysia and then the fast right-handers in Qatar. It's continued at an area of each track since.
"But Phillip Island is generally a track where you can mask some issues."
The Race Direction update says... there will be another update at 11:30 local time (20 minutes).
Maverick Vinales to Simon Crafar in pitlane: "It's quite incredible because it's not raining that much but the track is full of water. We need to see if the conditions will let us try the bike.
"As a new asphalt and with 3 different (slick) tyres for the rear for sure it would be good to try them before the Sprint. If not, it will be a bet. But I'm ready!"
The Safety Car is back out with Loris Capirossi at the wheel, rain is still pouring down and spray pouring out the back of the car, so it would be a major surprise if the session begins soon.
New father Luca Marini in the pits during the delayed FP1 session.
Race Direction say that 'more information' will be given on the delayed FP1 session at 11:10 local time.
Michelin's Piero Taramasso to Dorna's Simon Crafar in pitlane: "We need the laps in the dry but the weather forecast was clear that today will be wet.
"I hope the Sprint tomorrow will be in the dry, to try the rear soft, which is the medium compound of last year here. Last year 17 riders used it in the grand prix but now we want to see if it can do the race distance with the new surface. So we want to check it in the 13-lap Sprint.
"If not, we have the medium and hard rear slicks with a stronger carcass, the same as Mandalika, to keep the temperature lower. You spent a lot of time on the left side here and generate a lot of temperature in the tyre."
