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Formula 1: Typhoon Hagibis could threaten Japanese Grand Prix weekend

By Asher Fair

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 05: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives in front of Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and McLaren and Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on October 5, 2014 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 05: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives in front of Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and McLaren and Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on October 5, 2014 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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Excessive rain and wind from Typhoon Hagibis could threaten the Formula 1 race weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit.

The 17th race of the 21-race 2019 Formula 1 season, the Japanese Grand Prix, is scheduled to be contested this Sunday, October 13 at Suzuka Circuit.

However, Typhoon Hagibis could threaten the plans for the race weekend.

There is a chance that the excessive rain and winds, which could reach 100 miles per hour on Saturday afternoon, from this storm could put the qualifying session for this 53-lap race around the 18-turn, 3.609-mile (5.808-kilometer) Suzuka Circuit road course in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan on hold until Sunday morning before the race.

Here is what Formula 1 had to say in a statement pertaining to the situation.

"“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 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Every effort is being made to minimize 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.”"

As of now, there is a 70% chance of scattered thunderstorms and rain on Friday, October 11, which is when the first two practice sessions are scheduled to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. local time and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time.

There is a 100% chance for scattered thunderstorms and heavy rain on Saturday, October 12, which is when the first and final practice session and the qualifying session for this race are scheduled to take place. The former is scheduled to go from 12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m. local time while the latter is scheduled to go from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time.

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Finally, on Sunday, there is a 90% chance of moderate to heavy rain. The race is scheduled to begin at 2:10 p.m. local time.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been disrupted by extreme weather before, most recently back in October of 2014 in the race that was marred by the accident that ultimately led to the death of the late Jules Bianchi in July of 2015.

The qualifying session for this race has been delayed in the past as well. Instead of being held on Saturday afternoon, it was held on Sunday morning before the race in both October of 2004 and October of 2010.

As the FIA, Formula 1, Suzuka Circuit and the Japanese Automobile Federation are closely monitoring this situation, an official decision as to whether or not to postpone the qualifying session for the race is slated to come Friday.

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As of now, the qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 2:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 12, and it is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2 from Suzuka Circuit beginning at 1:55 a.m. The Formula 1 race itself is scheduled to begin at 1:10 a.m. ET on Sunday, October 13, and it is set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 1:05 a.m. ET.

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