Suzuka (Japan) (AFP)
"The International Automobile Federation (FIA), Formula 1, Suzuka Circuit and the Japan Automobile Federation are keeping a close eye on Typhoon Hagibis and its potential impact on the F1 Grand Prix" this weekend, ensures a joint statement Thursday.
Hagibis, announced as one of the most powerful typhoons of the last decades in the region, is expected to reach a large part of Japan from Saturday, which has already caused the cancellation of England-France and New England matches. Zealand - Italy Rugby World Cup, played in the country.
"Every effort is being made to minimize the disruption of the Formula 1 program, but the safety of fans, competitors and everyone on the Suzuka circuit remains the top priority," the statement said.
"All parties continue to monitor the situation and will provide additional information in a timely manner."
This is the day of Saturday, during which the third free practice session and qualifying is to be held, which is most likely to be disrupted.
Local authorities and race director Michael Masi have the last word on a possible change of program, a priori announced Friday late afternoon, says the FIA.
If the qualifiers were to be canceled rather than postponed until Sunday morning, the composition of the starting grid of the GP is left to the discretion of the race commissioners. The most likely is that they are based on the ranking of the last free practice session disputed.
As a reminder, the first two free practice sessions are scheduled for Friday, followed by the third and Saturday qualifying, before Sunday's race.
Hagibis is described as "violent", the highest degree of classification used by the Japanese Weather Agency (JMA), and causes gusts of wind reaching 280 km / h.
"It's currently a large and violent typhoon," a JMA meteorologist told AFP as he moves north and approaches Japan, he will be downgraded to "very strong". will not be less violent when he arrives. "
The Japanese GP has been disrupted by typhoons several times. In very bad weather in 2014, the French driver Jules Bianchi was the victim of a serious accident that later caused his death. In 2004 and 2010, qualifying took place on Sunday before the race.
© 2019 AFP