Wind and rain make for unfamiliar Melbourne factors

MELBOURNE, Mar 31 (Reuters) Gusting wind and rain are set to provide unfamiliar tests at the usually sun-drenched Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

The decision to move the Australian leg of the calendar from season opener to the third round to accommodate the Commonwealth Games has added a new dimension to the race.

The switch from the end of the Australian summer to the autumn and its unpredictable weather has led to poor grip and difficult handling, with many of the leading drivers finding themselves buffered into the gravel traps in Friday's practice.

Seven-times champion Michael Schumacher made an uncharacteristic detour during his 16 practice laps, the gusts forcing him to overcook one corner as he finished sixth fastest overall.

''The wind changed very quickly,'' he told reporters on Friday. ''It made things very difficult. Suddenly there was a backwind behind me and my braking distance was not long enough.'' Showers and wind are forecast to be constant threats throughout the weekend.

RARE EXCURSION ''I don't think I took any corner the same way out there because of the wind,'' said Honda's Jenson Button, who also suffered a rare excursion into the gravel while finishing fourth overall and the fastest of the drivers racing on Sunday.

''It's making it very difficult and it's clear we're all struggling with grip, but I hope it's better tomorrow. I don't usually go off so it shows how little grip there is out there.'' World champion Fernando Alonso concurred, adding that the bumpy track added to the factors to be considered for Sunday's race.

''At some corners it was very difficult to stop the car but it's the same for everyone, I prefer the wind to the rain,'' said Alonso, acknowledging the downpour that drenched the circuit moments after Friday's second session concluded.

''I think the circuit is also more bumpy than usual, going into corners ten and nine it was really impossible to brake.

REUTERS PM SP1326