Suzuka (Japan) (AFP)

The organizers of the Japanese F1 GP this weekend will take a decision Friday at 12 am local time (05:00) on the program of the event, threatened by the arrival of Saturday Typhoon Hagibis, announced Thursday the International Federation of (FIA).

The storm has already caused Thursday the cancellation of two matches of Rugby World Cup, England-France and New Zealand - Italy, which were to be played Saturday.

As it stands, the third free practice session and qualifying on Saturday is threatened due to the rain and strong winds that are expected and that of Sunday race is not assured, the weather is still uncertain. .

Regarding the qualifications, which determine the positions of the drivers on the grid of departure of the Grand Prix, two options are possible: a postponement to Sunday before the race or the use of the ranking of the second session of free practice run Friday afternoon.

Whatever happens, a postponement to Monday is impossible, says the FIA.

The decision on a possible change of program rests with the local authorities, in consultation with the FIA, F1 and the local organizers.

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The Japanese GP has been disrupted by typhoons several times. In 2004 and 2010, qualifying took place before the race on Sunday. In very bad weather conditions in 2014, the French driver Jules Bianchi had suffered a serious accident that later caused his death.

On Thursday, the pilots supported the possibility of such a change.

"This decision is not so much for us, who can wait warm in the garages, but for the public. (...) I do not think anyone wants to risk someone else's life. ", said the German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari).

"We will see, but it looks unlikely that we were driving on Saturday," added Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who said he had nothing against "a little more free time Saturday and get up a little earlier Sunday."

Hagibis is described as "violent", the highest degree of classification used by the Japan Weather Agency (JMA).

"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 remain no less violent upon arrival ", bringing heavy rain and wind gusts to more than 100 km / h.

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