Why weather isn’t a true F1 leveller 

The European summer of 2022 will be remembered for record-breaking temperatures and the lowest rainfall seen for many years. In spite of this, seven sessions up to the mid-season break required wet or intermediate tyres: the events in Imola, Monaco, Montreal and Budapest [plus Singapore and Suzuka since this was written - ed] were all affected at some point by wet weather.

Experience can give some indications of what weather to expect and, for new circuits, teams will scrutinise the 30-year averages for the particular location at the time of year of the race in order to ensure the correct cooling packages are available for the cars. They are, however, only averages and extremes can still catch you out. Even Bahrain, the driest country we visit, has 10 days of rain a year and although we have only ever had a dry race there it has rained heavily in March.