Suzuka: A massive typhoon is expected to cause havoc at the weekend ahead of Japanese Grand Prix qualifying, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday (local time). Ahead of the event, the organizers of Japanese GP on Thursday said that the safety of fans and drivers are their top priority and they are monitoring the typhoon.
Typhoon Hagibis, which is classified as "violent" is expected to arrive in the Japanese capital - Tokyo on Saturday. Typhoon Hagibis is also called a super typhoon, as it is equivalent to a category five hurricane.
According to the latest weather report, heavy rain and storm-force winds are expected on Saturday near Suzuka Circuit, where Japanese GP would be hosted. It lies near the Honshu coast about 300 kilometres (180 miles) west of Tokyo.
However, the weather on Sunday is clear. So there is a probability that qualifying could be postponed from Saturday to Sunday. And as the race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, the qualifying event will take place in the morning.
It is also noteworthy that, if qualifying event shifts to the Sunday, it will not be the first time when Japan qualifying and race would happen on the same day in Japanese GP. Japan had also done the same on two previous occasions, in 2004 and 2010.
Formula 1 officials in a statement also confirmed that a decision on the upcoming weekend's timetable would be made based on the safety of the fans and the drivers.
"The FIA, Formula 1, Suzuka Circuit and the Japanese Automobile Federation are closely monitoring Typhoon Hagibis and its potential impact on the 2019 FIA Formula One Japanese Grand Prix," the statement said.
"Every effort is being made to minimise disruption to the Formula 1 timetable, however, the safety of the fans, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit remains the top priority.
"All parties will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates in due course."
