HAMILTON IS TOLD TOKYO’S A NO GO
LEWIS Hamilton was talked out of flying to Tokyo last night and will instead stay in his hotel after the incoming typhoon caused today’s Japanese Grand Prix qualifying session to be postponed.
Following practice yesterday, the world champion had told reporters he wanted to spend his spare time in the capital, 250 miles north-east of Suzuka rather than at his trackside base.
‘If I am lucky, I will have the day off,’ said Hamilton. ‘They slaughter dolphins three hours away from here, so it would be great to shine a spotlight on that.
‘But I’ll probably go back to Tokyo, I love it there. I could have a nice night there, then come back tomorrow.’
It was then explained to him that 1,600 domestic flights have been cancelled ahead of the country’s biggest storm of the year, Typhoon Hagibis.
Even if Hamilton could get to Tokyo, he might not be back in time for the rescheduled qualifying session tomorrow at 10am local time, and then the race four hours later.
The bullet train is also suspended today. Power cuts are expected and the government is urging people to stock up with three days’ food and water supplies.
‘I’m happy Lewis will be staying in his hotel,’ said one team insider, mindful of the forecast a month after Typhoon Faxai destroyed 30,000 homes.
At the track, the podium and pit walls were dismantled and packed away. Locals have been told to stay indoors while the anticipated 100mph winds rip through the area.
The decision to delay qualifying was announced just before 10am local time yesterday.
‘The FIA and Formula One support this decision in the interests of safety for both spectators and competitors,’ said the sport’s governors and owners in a joint statement.
The FIA said last night they will monitor developments. It is still possible the race will be cancelled, something that has not happened this century.
If bad weather, or the debris it leaves, causes qualifying to be dropped but the race still goes ahead, the grid would be according to the standings in second practice yesterday: the Mercedes pair of Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and then the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel.