The Detroit Grand Prix is no stranger to a rain shower interrupting proceedings when IndyCar visits each summer, and there is a reasonable chance of rain for the first of two races of the double-header again this year.
The combination of rain tires and the Aeroscreen, which was introduced for the 2020 season, has not yet been seen in a race, but they have been used together in testing and in qualifying for Mid-Ohio last season.
Firestone confirmed that there have been no changes to the rain tire compound since 2018, and there are no concerns about their potential use later today.
Drivers similarly shrugged off the prospect of a rain shower moving through just as the race will be getting under way.
Many of them have run in the wet multiple times in the past, and they still carry tear-offs on their visors to help clear any spray that would make it to their helmets.
The Aeroscreen was designed to shed water at speeds without the need for a windshield wiper, but teams can remove any built up dirt during a pit stop through the use of the larger tear-offs on the windscreen.
If the rain does arrive during the race, drivers are no longer obligated to run both types of dry weather tires that normally required.
Forecasted rain chances have bounced between 30 and 50 percent for Saturday’s race, and it will be closer to race time before solid plans can be made.
Qualifying takes place at 11:00 AM Eastern time, well before any showers are expected to build up. The first race of the double-header will be run at 2:00 PM Eastern, however, just as the rain is expected to build in the area.
