JAPAN is bracing itself for Typhoon Hagibis.
The powerful storm has been described as ‘violent’ by weather forecasters and could affect this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
How will Typhoon Hagibis affect the Japanese Grand Prix?
F1 has seen its schedule changed amid the super typhoon that is set to devastate the east of Japan this weekend.
Rugby World Cup matches have also been changed for October 12 and 13.
England vs France from Yokohama is among those to be called off, with Sunday’s matches still under consideration.
New Zealand secured their place in the next round after their match against Italy – who still had a chance of progressing but now miss out – was cancelled.
But Scotland are hoping they are still able to play Japan in Yokohama on Sunday, with a quarter-final place theirs if they win.
Weather models project the monster storm will continue on a north-westerly path towards Japan where it is expected to make landfall around Saturday morning.
Estimates vary about where it will hit, but F1 chiefs are taking no chances and are already bracing themselves for the worst.
After a meeting on Friday between the sport’s governing body FIA, owner Liberty Media and Suzuka Circuit chiefs, there will be no qualifying on Saturday.
BST).
A track inspection has been scheduled for Sunday morning – with qualifying set to take place at 10am local time (2am BST) if all is fine.
The race will then go ahead later that day at its original time of 2.10pm in Japan (6.10am
This is not the first time typhoons have affected F1, with torrential rain at Suzuka in 2014 forced the Grand Prix to be red flagged during the race as a result of Typhoon Phonfone.
Jules Bianchi had crashed during the race, and sadly died nine months later due to injuries sustained.
How big is it?
THE storm is predicted to move in a north-westerly direction as the week progresses.
This would see it hit mainland Japan – but weather forecasters agree that it would weaken when on land.
Winds are gusting up to 165mph in the giant storm, which by some predictions could change direction and hit Tokyo.
Japan sees around 20 typhoons every year, although they do tend to vary in both strength and impact.
Currently, it is classed as “violent”, which is the highest level of severity on Japan’s typhoon charts.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
