F1: Japanese GP could be postponed as Typhoon Hagibis looms large

 Typhoon Hagibis affecting Japanese Grand Prix 2019?

The Japanese Grand Prix final race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 13, 2019, in Suzuka International Racing Course in Japan.

What has happened so far?

The Grand Prix event began on October 11, with the practice sessions. Valterri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton led team Mercedes to a 1-2 victory in the first and the second practice sessions, with the third one cancelled. This was a fine start by team Mercedes who would be entering the qualifying stages with a much-needed boost. However, the qualifying race is postponed after a possible threat from Typhoon Hagibis. It is expected that the Typhoon Hagibis is likely to bring violent winds which could be detrimental to the race tracks. 

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Organisers said they had decided to postpone qualifying and close the circuit on Saturday 'in the interests of safety for the spectators, competitors, and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit'. This has resulted in the qualifying race to be postponed just 4 hours before the final race.

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The updated schedule

The qualifying race is set to take place on Sunday, October 13 at 6.30 am to 7.30 am IST followed by the finals set for 10.40 am to 12.40 pm on the same day. F1 association or the FIA  has a close eye on the situation as the finals might be needed to be postponed too if the Typhoon threat prolongs.

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Grand Prix 2019 and so on

Hamilton leads the F1 standings so far with 322 points ahead of Bottas who sits 2nd with 249 points. Hamilton, who also won the Russian Grand Prix would be looking to edge out Bottas after the practice sessions. The Mercedes team, meanwhile, can wrap up their sixth consecutive constructors' title as early as Sunday if they score 15 more points than Ferrari. The Japanese Grand Prix will be followed by Mexican Grand Prix on October 27, 2019. 

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