FORMULA ONE bosses are under pressure to follow the Rugby World Cup and cancel tomorrow’s qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Rugby chiefs were swift to postpone England’s match with France in Yokohama as Typhoon Hagibis is due to hit the country on Saturday lunchtime.
The Category Five storm will bring torrential rain and gusts of over 100mph — putting spectators lives at risk, while F1 cars will not be able to run.
However, the sport’s governing body, the FIA, and its owners, Liberty Media, have so far failed to take action and say they will make an announcement today after observing the storm’s progress overnight.
Incredibly, the final decision on whether to move qualifying to Sunday morning, ahead of the race, lies with the promoter, the Suzuka Circuit and the Japanese Auto Federation.
Lewis Hamilton cannot win the title in Suzuka but his Mercedes team can wrap up the Constructors’ Championship.
And the Brit said he would like to see qualifying held on Sunday.
‘DIFFERENT MINDSET’
The five-time world champion said: “I’m sure they have procedures in place to move it to Sunday morning.
“We’re already planning to see what we might do differently in practice if it is dry.
“You have to enter into a different mindset and two different rhythms.
“Normally you have time after qualifying to calm down and chill and then ramp it up to the next day.
“But if you have to do it on the same day, it’s a different challenge and I like that.
“I love driving in the rain but it’s pretty intense here when it rains.”
At the 2004 and 2010 Japanese GPs, qualifying was postponed until Sunday, while qualifying was also bumped back a day at the Australian GP in 2013 and the 2015 US GP, due to poor weather.
Five years ago, Jules Bianchi, 25, had a fatal accident at Suzuka in what proved to be the start of Typhoon Phanfone.
Drivers are now urging the sport’s bosses, the promoter and local authorities to make the right decision and move qualifying.
An early announcement would allow them more time to prepare for a double header of Sunday qualifying followed by a race a few hours later.
McLaren ace Lando Norris, 19, added: “It will be much easier to know earlier if the session is postponed. Easier to make better plans.”
Sebastian Vettel added: “I don’t think anyone wants to put anyone’s life in danger.”
His Ferrari team-mate, Charles Leclerc agreed and added: “I think it’s pretty clear if the typhoon is going to come here there’s no way we can drive.
“Going off my previous experience, the FIA have always been safe with the conditions.”
Two Formula 4 races have already been taken off the schedule for the Japanese GP to allow F1 more flexibility.
The 10-lap Porsche Cup Japan will still go ahead on Sunday morning.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
