2024 Australian MotoGP: Friday Practice - LIVE!

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."

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."

A huge amount of spray is being thrown up by the safety car, it's not only the amount of water on the track but visibility that is an issue.

For now, the riders and teams can only sit and wait in the pits while the spectators shelter as best they can.

Add in that the Sprint race and Sunday Grand Prix should be dry and there's not much urgency to ride in the wet.

Although, with the conditions notoriously changeable at Phillip Island, riders are sure to work on a wet set-up if/when the session gets underway.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast predicts the rain will last until this evening, with only a brief lull around 2pm.

With rain still lashing down, a BMW safety car is on track, splashing through the water.

Wet weather is expected to continue for the rest of the day. Saturday should be dry, but windy, with Sunday currently predicted to offer the best conditions of the Australian MotoGP weekend.

The problem is that losing Friday to the rain means teams and riders won't gather as much data as they'd like on the expanded tyre selection for the new Phillip Island asphalt.

The soft rear slick is a 'normal' construction' but the medium and hard have a stiffer heat-resistant construction last used at Mandalika.

But today will be on wets, for which Michelin offers Soft and Medium compounds - symmetrical for the front and (as with the slicks) asymmetric at the rear, with the left side reinforced.

The weather forecasts proved correct and it's a soaking wet start to Friday practice for the 2024 Australian MotoGP.

The Moto2 riders are currently splashing around the Phillip Island circuit, with the opening MotoGP session of the weekend starting in just over 15mins.