The Japanese Grand Prix under the threat of typhoon Phanfone

The Japanese Grand Prix F1 race could be moved due to Typhoon Phanfone threatening the archipelago. The FIA will wait for further details to make a decision.

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Rédigé par Par

A few hours before the first practice sessions of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, the FIA is closely monitoring the weather situation. A typhoon, named Phanfone, has recently intensified in the Pacific Ocean and is currently heading toward the Japanese archipelago.

The heaviest rains and strongest winds in Suzuka are expected on Monday. However, Sunday’s situation is already expected to be largely disrupted, even though the exact trajectory of the phenomenon is obviously not yet known.

The FIA has announced that it is too early to make any decisions regarding the progression or cancellation of the race, while stating that close monitoring will be conducted over the next 24 hours, which will be crucial. A decision could therefore be made as early as this Friday.

Among the possibilities, the race could be moved up to Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, or even postponed to Monday, although with the weather forecasts and the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for next week, the latter scenario appears highly unlikely.

On his blog, journalist Adam Cooper explains that during their Thursday meeting, the teams were informed that an earlier start on Sunday would provide a larger window for the race to take place. However, such a scenario, in case of worsening weather in the afternoon, could impact preparations for Sochi. Likewise, having both the qualifications and the race on Saturday would pose problems for the TV broadcasters covering the event and for paying spectators.

In 2004, a typhoon had already disrupted the Japanese Grand Prix Saturday, which was also held in Suzuka, forcing the organizers and the FIA to postpone the qualifying to Sunday morning, just a few hours before the race.

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