Rain for Monte Carlo?

Of the five Grand Prix so far in 2010, two have been affected by rain Рa 20 percent rate Рalthough that proportion could rise to 50 this weekend because intermittent heavy showers are expected to hit Monte-Carlo and the majority of the C̫te d'Azur.

Last year's dry race in the principality, won by Jenson Button and Brawn, followed a soaking afternoon in 2008 on which the 58-lap race – won in stunning fashion by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton – hit the 2-hour time limit for the first time since 1997, another wet afternoon on which Michael Schumacher and Ferrari demonstrated their brilliance.

Although forecasts vary, local predictions for the upcoming weekend do state that temperatures in the mid to late teens are likely to be joined by some rain, which could – should it fall on Sunday afternoon – throw strategies into oblivion.