This morning the FIA announced that it is keeping a close eye on the progress of Typhoon Phanfone, amid concerns it could affect Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday.
The typhoon has been intensifying in the Pacific Ocean over recent days and is currently set to cause strong winds and rain at Suzuka on race day as it swings past Japan.
While there have been fears the typhoon could force the cancellation of the race itself, there is still uncertainty about its direction over the next few days.
That uncertainty means it is too early for F1 chiefs to consider any contingency plans, but the FIA did say on Thursday that it was monitoring events closely.
And with the situation (and potential impact on Suzuka), it is likely to become much clearer over the next 24 hours. But the FIA will be much better placed on Friday to decide whether or not any action needs to be taken.
Back in 2004, a typhoon forced qualifying for the Japanese GP to be delayed until Sunday morning after the FIA and race organisers felt it was too dangerous for track action to take place on Saturday.
Jenson Button was one of several drivers today who have said he hoped that the bad weather would miss Suzuka. Button stated the following:-
‘I hope that we can race on Sunday, that’s the first thing, I think. With a typhoon coming this way it’s always very tricky. Hopefully it will miss us.
‘It’s going to be a mixed weekend in terms of weather; tomorrow there’s a good chance of rain as well. I think it’s really just thinking on your feet and staying on top of all the different weather forecasts.’
I think we all echo Button’s sentiments and hope that the typhoon avoids Suzuka and we can race on Sunday as planned. Even though Suzuka is well known for mixed weather conditions over the course of a race weekend, the safety of the fans and the driver is paramount. But all we can do as Button says is keep an eye on the weather forecasts and hope that we miss the weather and we can see hopefully another great race at Suzuka this weekend.
